Medical assistance and tracking system and method employing smart tags

ABSTRACT

A medication tracking and/or medical assistance device and method comprises an RFID tag coder for reading from and/or writing to an RFID tag. A processor and a memory process information read from an RFID tag to provide a message based thereon by a visual and/or an audible message.

This Application is a continuation in part of PCT Application No.PCT/US01/42563 filed Oct. 9, 2001, and claims the priority thereof, andfurther claims the benefit of: U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/323,514 filed Sep. 19, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/326,265 filed Oct. 1, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/328,661 filed Oct. 11, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/330,112 filed Oct. 17, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/341,633 filed Dec. 19, 2001, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/351,266 filed Jan. 23, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/352,901 filed Jan. 30, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/359,558 filed Feb. 22, 2002.

The present invention relates to medical apparatus and method, and inparticular, to an assistance and tracking apparatus and method employingsmart tags.

Typically, shipping and/or receiving and/or dispensing and/or usingarticles utilizes paper documents such as prescriptions, medical orders,bills of lading and manifests and/or paper labels that relate theobjects being shipped or transported to their owner or to the designatedor authorized recipient. Such documents and labels often include a barcode for automatic reading by an optical scanner that is inline-of-sight communication with the bar code. In such operations thereis usually a desire to maintain a complete, accurate and up to daterecord of the objects shipped and received. Automated or automaticmethods of providing such record are desirable, however, conventionalmethods all have shortcomings that result in less than the desiredtracking and record being provided.

Labels applied to the objects were an attempt to afford relativeautomated record keeping, but tended to be cumbersome to use and errorprone. More sophisticated automatic methods employed bar-coded labelsand/or magnetic stripe tags, each with suitable readers. While the costof such labels and cards is low, so is the information that can beembedded or coded in either of these media, even where complex bar codessuch as a 2-D bar code is employed. In addition, most bar code readersare read-only devices that can only read the information stored in thebar code or magnetic stripe and cannot store any additional informationin the bar-code label or magnetic stripe card. In addition, bar codesand magnetic stripes cannot store sufficient information to provide thedesirable features necessary without a connection to a central computerand online information system.

Moreover, bar-code media require a “line-of-sight” communication pathbetween device and reader, and magnetic stripe media require a direct orclose contact communication path between device and reader at a suitable“swiping speed,” and the reliability of correct reading is about 80–90%,as anyone who has gone through a store check-out bar-code reader or amagnetic stripe credit card reader will recognize. Repeated passes ofthe object in front of the bar-code reader or swipes of the card readercreate delay and annoyance and/or can produce record errors. Suchproblems are not overcome with more complex bar codes, and could beexacerbated where the bar code elements are smaller in size and thusmore sensitive to smudging and dirt.

Electronic tracking using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags isone way to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art bar-code andmagnetic stripe approaches. Prior art systems typically do not track thearticles to be tracked along the processing path and/or do not havereliable, essentially 100% correct reader performance, essentiallywithout the need for human intervention, as is desirable for providingcomplete and accurate records.

In a medical environment, errors in the dispensing, administration andprescribing of medications and medical treatments have resulted in anunacceptably large number of adverse reactions, including many deathsand permanent impairments and disability. Various estimates of theconsequences thereof include tens of thousands of patients affected andannual costs exceeding $3-billion U.S. dollars. Published materialreports 770,000 injuries caused by medication errors over a two-yearperiod and an estimated 44,000 to 98,000 fatal incidences arisingtherefrom with a total cost of $177 billion for hospital care andlong-term care. The costs created by counterfeit drugs that areineffective, contain no or incorrect active ingredients, or theincorrect amounts or proportions of active ingredients make the problemworse.

Bar-coded labels and magnetic stripe cards have not proved completelysatisfactory due to the need for line-of-sight readers and significantlyless than 100% reading rate. Moreover, absent a network connection to acomputer, the known prior art arrangements do little more than to readthe information stored in the bar code or magnetic stripe, and cannotdetect errors therein, which is a particular disadvantage in relation tomedication and medical devices wherein errors in dispensing and/or usingthe medication or device can have serious, if not fatal, consequences.

The special needs of the elderly, infirm hearing impaired and visuallyimpaired persons is not addressed by the prior art devices. TheHealthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act adopted in 1996seeks to address certain aspects of this problem. Prior art devices donot address these needs, and are too costly to permit home use, e.g.,for providing automatic reminders to take medication and/or to givewarning when medication is taken improperly in time and/or amount.

Accordingly, there is a need for apparatus and method that can assist inthe dispensing and administration of medication and/or medicaltreatment. Desirably, such should facilitate tracking an object atvarious stations and associating the object with a desired recipient. Itwould be advantageous if the method and system has a highcorrect-reading ability (e.g., near 100%), and does not requireline-of-sight readers. It would also be desirable that the method andapparatus be suitable for use in a home setting, e.g., by a consumer orpatient, as well as in a professional or commercial setting, e.g., in apharmacy, hospital, nursing home or other care-giving facility.

To this end, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a tagcoder for reading from and/or writing to a tag. A processor and a memoryprocess information read from a tag to provide a message based thereonby a visual and/or an audible message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention will be more easily and better understood when read inconjunction with the FIGURES of the Drawing which include:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart schematic block diagram illustrating an exampleembodiment of a tracking system and method;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a systemincluding plural stations;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a tracking stationuseful in the system of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic representations of memory allocationsand relational database arrangements suitable for use with the apparatusand method described herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flow chart schematic diagrams illustrating examplesof a utilization of the memory allocations and relational databasearrangements of FIGS. 4A–4C;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement employingsmart tags in an environment for processing medicine;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flow chart schematic diagrams illustrating examples oftracking systems and methods useful in an environment for processingmedicine;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of amedical tracker apparatus;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic flow diagrams illustrating aspects ofthe method of FIG. 8 in context with the medical tracker apparatus ofFIG. 9;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are an unfolded view and an isometric view,respectively, of an example open antenna array arrangement;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are an unfolded view and an isometric view,respectively, of an example open antenna array arrangement;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are isometric views of example embodiments of an openantenna array and FIG. 13C is a view of the bottom of the exampleantenna array of FIG. 13A; and

FIG. 14 is an isometric diagram illustrating the arrangement of theantenna of the example antenna array of FIGS. 13A and 13C.

In the Drawing, where an element or feature is shown in more than onedrawing figure, the same alphanumeric designation may be used todesignate such element or feature in each figure, and where a closelyrelated or modified element is shown in a figure, the samealphanumerical designation primed may be used to designate the modifiedelement or feature. Similar elements may be shown in the same figuredesignated by different “dash numbers” such as X-1, X-2, and so on. Itis noted that, according to common practice, the various features of thedrawing are not to scale, and the dimensions of the various features arearbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

In general, a system and method is useful for tracking an article orobject at one or more stations over a transport path and associating thearticle or object with a recipient or another object. A smart tag isassociated with each article to be tracked, for example, by beingattached to the article either directly or indirectly, e.g., to acontainer containing the article. A second smart tag is associated withthe recipient or other object with which the first object is to beassociated after passing along the transport path. Each smart tagincludes at least an electronic memory coupled to an antenna by whichinformation from the memory may be transmitted and/or information may bereceived and stored in the memory. Smart tag control units (readersand/or writers) and antenna arrays at various stations communicate withthe smart tags and may also communicate directly or indirectly with oneor more processors that process the information, for example, formonitoring and/or controlling the stations and/or control units and/orlines including one or more stations.

As used herein, the following terms are used to include but are notlimited to:

“Article” and “object” and “person” are used interchangeably to refer toany article, object or other thing or person or animal to which a smarttag may be attached or with which a smart tag may be associated.Examples include, but are not limited to, packages, parcels, containers,medications, medical devices, instruments, implements, containerstherefor and the like in a medical or hospital environment. A person maybe an “object” in, for example, a medical environment where theapparatus and/or method is utilized for associating a person as patientwith his medication, medical device, treatment and/or other procedure.

“Electronic gate” is used to refer to an antenna or array of antenna incombination with a smart tag reader/writer that communicates with asmart tag via the antenna or array, and which may also include adisplay, annunciator or other device for providing information in humanperceivable form. The antenna or antenna array may be disposed at anentry point or other location of a station for receiving informationproduced from a smart tag that is within its detection region and fortransmitting information to be stored in the memory of a smart tagwithin its detection region, or at a point of use or treatment or otherlocation.

“Smart tag” and/or “wireless tag” and/or “RFID tag” is used to refer toan article that includes at least an electronic memory whereininformation from the memory may be transmitted and/or information may bereceived and stored in the memory. A “wireless” type smart tag includingan antenna is preferred, wherein the information is electromagneticallycoupled from or to the antenna over a distance or range. However, a“contact” type smart tag, wherein the information is electricallycoupled through physical electrical connections made to contacts on thesmart tag, may also be utilized, although it is less convenient.

“Station” is used to refer to any dispensing location, treatmentlocation, point of use, booth, station, gate, portal, check-in position,article claim, check point, manufacturing or processing location, ramp,conveyor, conveyance, shipping area, receiving area, and the like thatone or more objects may be at or pass at which a smart tag may beissued, read, written to, and/or collected.

“Transport path” is used to refer to any path, route, conveyor,conveyance, carriage or other means or combination of means by which anobject, article or person may move or be moved from one place toanother. FIG. 1 is a flow chart schematic block diagram illustrating anexample embodiment of a tracking method. The process illustrated isdescribed in general terms and then is described in terms of examples ofvarious utilizations thereof, such as medication and/or medical deviceand/or implement tracking in a medical environment. For simplicity, theapparatus and/or method are described in terms of one or more smart tags(e.g., two smart tags) associated respectively with one or more objects(e.g., two objects), although any number of smart tags and/or objectsmay be associated and tracked individually and/or as a set or group.E.g., one patient may receive one or more medications and/or medicaldevices, and/or may receive medication and/or medical device at one ormore times.

The process of FIG. 1 commences with the issuing 100 of one or moresmart tags coded with related information, typically two smart tagswhere a tracked object is to move over a transport path that differs insome respect from the transport path over which a check object moves,and/or is to be verified or checked at one or more locations thereofand/or at a terminus thereof. Typically, the tracked object and thechecked object are associated at the beginning of the transport path,such as by being in the same location or origin, or by being inpossession of one person, and are to be again associated at the end ofthe transport path, such as at a dispensing location, point of use,pick-up location, collection point or other destination. The smart tagissued to be attached to or associated with the tracked object isreferred to as the object smart tag and the smart tag to be associatedwith the check object is referred to as the check smart tag.

In a hospital, clinic, pharmacy, nursing home or other medical facilityor environment, the tracked object may be medication, medicine, amedical device and/or implement and the like, and the check object maybe a prescription, written order, patient chart and/or patientidentification band and the like.

The information stored in the memory of each smart tag when issued 100may include any one or more of the identity of the tag, the object, thepatient, medication, dosage and frequency, use instruction, expiration,refills, the physician and/or dispenser, the owner and/or sender and/orrecipient, the origin and/or destination, the route, routing and/orother transport path information, the carrier(s), date and timeinformation, issuing location and personnel, and/or any other desired oruseful information. Such information is written into the memory of eachsmart tag as is an identifier associating each of the plural smart tagsrelating to a particular object or set of objects with the other orothers. The smart tags will typically be flexible so that they caneasily conform to a label or tag or paper receipt to which they areattached, e.g., adhesively.

The tracked object is tracked 112, 116 by reading the smart tagassociated with it as it is transported 114 over transport path 110. Forexample, the tracked object is tracked 112 as it begins beingtransported 114 and is tracked 116 as it completes being transported andis to be associated 130 with the checked object. Steps 112–116 mayrepresent the transport path 110 or one segment of a plural segmenttransport path 110 indicated by the dashed portion of the arrowemanating from box 116. Any number of transport segments 114 andtracking points 112, 116 may be utilized along the transport path 110.

The check object is tracked 122, 126 by reading the check smart tagassociated with it as it is transported 124 over transport path 120. Forexample, the check object is tracked 122 as it begins being transported124 and is tracked 126 as it completes being transported and is to beassociated 130 with the tracked object. Steps 122–126 may represent thetransport path 120 or one segment of a plural segment transport path 120indicated by the dashed portion of the arrow emanating from box 126. Anynumber of transport segments 124 and tracking points 122, 126 may beutilized along the transport path 120.

Tracking and monitoring movement of the object smart tags and checksmart tags may be accomplished in several different ways. Each tracking112, 116, 122, 126 may include, in addition to reading information fromthe smart tag, the writing of tracking information to the smart tag sothat as the smart tag moves along the transport path it accumulatesinformation identifying the tracking 112, 116, 122, 126 electronic gatesit passes and the date and time thereof. Tracking information mayinclude, for example, the identity of each tracking station passed andthe date and time thereof. Thus, each smart tag has the history of itstravel stored in its memory, which tracking information can be readshould the object and its smart tag not be in the expected destinationwhen expected.

Alternatively and/or additionally, and optionally, such trackinginformation can be communicated along with smart tag identifyinginformation to a processor and stored in a relational database for easyand quick reference and access as needed or desired, as described below.Further, and also alternatively and/or additionally, and optionally,such tracking information and tag identity information can be stored inthe smart tag reader associated with each electronic gate at whichtracking 112, 116, 122, 126 occurs, for later retrieval, as and/or ifneeded.

The tracked object and the checked object are associated 130 at the endof their respective transport paths 110, 120. and the object and checksmart tags associated with the tracked object and the check object,respectively, are read 140. The information read 140 from the two smarttags is compared 150 to determine whether they match 150, i.e. whetherthe object smart tag and the check smart tag were issued 100 togethercontaining the proper relating information that was written therein atissuing 100.

If a match 150 is found (path “Y”), the tracked and checked objects pass160 from the tracking process which ends 170. The object smart tag andcheck smart tag may go with the objects, preferably with the writing 160of information to the smart tags indicating that they have been matchedwith the objects to be matched or erasing the information stored in thesmart tags that relates to the objects being tracked. One or both of theobject and check smart tags may be collected, and so are available to beerased and reused, and are unavailable for unauthorized attempts atreuse.

If a match 150 is not found (path “N”), as will occur if only one of theobject and check smart tags is present without a properly matchedcompanion tag, or if the object and check smart tags present do notcontain proper relating information, or if an additional unrelated smarttag is present. In these cases, an alarm 180 may be given by anysuitable means, such as a light, audible signal, signal to an officialor police, or combination thereof, and the process ends 170.

Alternatively and/or additionally, and optionally, if a match 150 is notfound, a search 180 is initiated for the missing one of the object smarttag or the check smart tag relating to the smart tag that was read 140.A search 190 is preferably conducted by identifying the records of arelational data base that includes a record for each smart tag each timeit is read at any one or more of the electronic gates. Issuing 100 andtracking 112, 116 of object smart tags and tracking 122, 126 of checksmart tags both include reading and/or writing of information to and/orfrom the memory of the smart tag and communicating 118, 128 such readand/or written information to a relational database running on aprocessor. As smart tags are issued 100 and tracked (read) 112, 116,122, 126, 140, records are accumulated in the relational database thatprovide a chronology and history of the transport of both object andcheck smart tags so that their most recent location and complete travelhistory are readily available.

Considering FIG. 1 in the environment of a medical facility, such as ahospital and/or pharmacy, for example, wherein medication and/or medicaldevice, supplies and implements are issued 100 for a particular patient,procedure or use: Dual smart tags are issued 100 for each procedure,treatment, medication and/or medical device ordered. One smart tag, anobject smart tag, is issued 100 for each medication, medical device,implement, procedure and/or treatment and is affixed to the containertherefor in the pharmacy, the implement to be utilized or the facility,such as the surgical operating room, diagnostic machine and the like, tobe utilized. Where the medication, medical device or implement, forexample, has plural units packed or contained in a larger unit orcontainer, object smart tags are issued and affixed to each of theplural units.

The object smart tag is encoded to contain, for example, a serial numberor other smart tag identifier, the identity of the medication and/ormedical device, quantity and dosage, frequency and conditions of use,manufacturer and/or provider, expiration date, and the identity andparticulars of the implement, procedure and/or treatment with which theobject smart tag is associated or affixed. A paper label containing thesame information as is stored in the object smart tag may also be issuedand affixed to or associated with the medication, medical device,implement, procedure and/or treatment.

When a doctor, physician or other personnel writes a prescription,referral, script or other order for medication and/or medical device, aprocedure and/or treatment, he utilizes a device that issues a checksmart tag that is affixed to an otherwise conventional paper document.Encoded in the check smart tag is information such as, for example, aserial number or other smart tag identifier, the identity of themedication, medical device, implement, procedure and/or treatment,dosage, form and frequency of administration information, refill andrepetition information, issue and/or expiration dates, the patient'sname and other patient information, the name of the physician or otherperson writing the order, and/or the diagnosis or sickness or condition.The paper document preferably contains the same information inhuman-readable form

The medication, medical device, implement, procedure and/or treatmentwith the object smart tag associated or affixed is transported 114 overtransport path 110 to the destination, i.e. the point at which themedication, medical device, implement, procedure and/or treatmentassociated with the object smart tag is administered or used. Alongtransport path 110, the object smart tag is read and tracked 112, 116.The patient and order with check smart tag affixed is transported 124over transport path 120 to the destination, i.e. the point at which themedication, medical device, implement, procedure and/or treatmentassociated with the check smart tag is administered or used. Alongtransport path 120, the check smart tag is read and tracked 122, 126.

At the destination, the patient and his check smart tag are associated130 with the medication, medical device, implement, procedure and/ortreatment and its object smart tag, and both object and check smart tagsare read 140 and compared 150 to determine whether they match. If thereis a match 150 (“Y”), then the proper medication, medical device,implement, procedure and/or treatment is present for that patient asordered, and the administration or conduct thereof may proceed 160. Ifthere is no match 150 (“N”), an alarm 180 is given and the patient isnot administered the unordered or otherwise incorrect medication,medical device, procedure and/or treatment is not administered, and thewrong implement is not utilized.

In the case of no match 150 (“N”), a search 190 may be conducted toidentify and associate with the patient the proper medication, medicaldevice, implement, procedure and/or treatment, all of which are trackedin a relational database. Alternatively and/or additionally, andoptionally, search 190 may be conducted for each reading 140 of theobject and check smart tags for associating related information from therelational database. Such additional information may include, forexample, the patient's other medical conditions and medications, medicalconditions, allergies and reactions, drug interactions, theeffectiveness of the prescribed medication and/or medical device ortreatment for the indicated illness, disease or condition, and the like,and is utilized to alarm or alert 180 personnel as to any actual orpotential problem or adverse effect.

It is noted that the transport paths 110, 120 may be entirely orpartially within a given facility, such as a pharmacy or hospital. Insuch case, the pharmacist receives the prescription or order with thecheck smart tag affixed and a tag reader reads 112 the informationtherein to provide a “pick-list” of the medications, devices andimplements ordered, and can print the prescription labels therefor. Themedication and/or medical device and/or implement filling theprescription has an object smart tag affixed thereto is associated 130with the prescription having a check smart tag affixed thereto, and isdispensed at a window or “tunnel” or other dispensing point thatincludes an antenna and smart tag reader for reading 140 both the objectand check smart tags and comparing 150 same for a match, as described.At this time, the pharmacist or other dispenser is alerted to any erroror problem determined from the comparing 150 and/or from searching 190the relational data base and/or medical information database. On theother hand, parts of transport paths 110, 120 may also be in differentfacilities and locations.

For example, where the disease or condition is encoded in the checksmart tag, and the relational database includes or is linked to amedical information database that includes medication and/or medicaldevice, treatment and effectiveness information, then medical personnelare provided an indication of whether that prescribed is a functionallyuseful treatment such as a specific medication, or is useful as asupplement such as a vitamin or mineral or herb, or is functionallyneutral or is functionally adverse or contraindicated. Such databases ofmedications and/or treatments are available and may be linked to therelational database utilized for searching 190 object and check smarttag records. One such database is available from eProcrates located inSan Diego, Calif.

A significant advantage of such arrangement is the reduction ofmis-prescribing and inappropriate and/or unnecessary treatment, or otherhuman-errors due to an alarm or alert being provided. Likewise, druginteractions, adverse reactions and allergies are avoided. It is notedthat such medical relational database can be coupled to the smart tagissuing 100 so that the physician or other person ordering medicationand/or medical device or treatment is alerted to any potential problemsat an early time.

In addition, at reading 140 just prior to dispensing 160, the patientinformation from the check smart tag may be written 140 to the objectsmart tag on the medication and/or medical device or implement, and theobject smart tag may thereafter be utilized with another smart tagreader described below to provide, for example, patient warnings andreminders, either visually or audibly, for alerting the patient to takethe medication and/or to have a prescription refilled, or at thepatient's home, living place or other point of use.

Thus it is evident that the same system elements may be configured toprovide an apparatus and/or method in any one of many types ofenvironments, facilities, locations, functions and operations. Oneexample thereof is a facility, typically a centralized facility, atwhich large numbers of prescriptions for medicine, medical devices andthe like are ordered via telephone and/or computer and are then filledand are dispensed via the mail or a delivery service. Typically suchfacility is operated by a pharmaceutical company or distributorcontracting with a health insurance provider for providing medicationand/or devices for treating long term and/or chronic conditions.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a system10 including plural stations 20-2, 20-2, . . . 20-N. Check in andregistration station RS is for receiving information relating to theobject to be tracked and the check object, and coding that informationinto the memory of plural smart tags 200 that are issued accompany thetracked object and the check object. Typically, smart tags 200 areissued as part of an identification label or claim check displaying thepertinent information in human readable form. Station RS is monitored byprocessor CP and communicates the information stored in smart tags 200thereto, and may be under the control of processor CP. Similarly,stations 20-1-20-N and check-out station CS also communicate with andmay be controlled by processor CP.

Because the object smart tags and check smart tags are the samefunctionally except for the information stored therein, and the variousstations (electronic gates) are the same functionally, the systemoperates with both object and check smart tags in the same manner, i.e.reading and writing data from and to the smart tags 200 at each trackingstation 20-1-20-N that the particular tags pass. Thus, FIG. 2illustrates a smart tag 200 traveling over transport path TP which canbe either an object smart tag or a check smart tag.

As the issued object smart tag 200 attached to the tracked object movesover its transport path TP past ones of the various tracking stations20-1 through 20-N, object smart tag 200 is read by the respectiveelectronic gate at each station 20 passed. The information so read fromthe object smart tag 200 may be stored in a memory of the electronicgate of station 20 and/or may be communicated to a central computer orprocessor CP via any suitable communication link. Information relatingto the object and object smart tag 200 passing each tracking station 20,such as the identity of the station and the date and time of passing, iseither stored in (written to the memory of) object smart tag 200 and/oris stored in the electronic gate and/or is communicated to the centralcomputer CP, for later retrieval and use.

Separately, as the issued check smart tag 200 attached to the objectmoves over its transport path TP past ones of the various trackingstations 20-1 through 20-N, check smart tag 200 is read by therespective electronic gate at each station 20 passed. The information soread from the check smart tag 200 may be stored in a memory of theelectronic gate of station 20 and/or may be communicated to a centralcomputer or processor CP via any suitable communication link.Information relating to the check and check smart tag 200 passing eachtracking station 20, such as the identity of the station and the dateand time of passing, is either stored in (written to the memory of)check smart tag 200 and/or is stored in the electronic gate and/or iscommunicated to the central computer CP, for later retrieval and use.

When the object and object smart tag 200 has completed its travel overits transport path TP to reach the destination, having passed those oftracking stations 20-1 through 20-N that are along transport path TP, itbecomes associated with the check and check smart tag 200. Check andcheck smart tag 200 has completed its travel over its transport path TPto reach the destination, having passed those of tracking stations 20-1through 20-N that are along its transport path TP. Check out station CSthen reads the object smart tag 200 and the check smart tag 200 andcompares the information therefrom for a match to indicate that theproper object and check have been associated at the destination.

Where an object and check do not become properly associated at adestination, one or the other is at the wrong destination, and a searchcan be conducted by processor CP relating the records of the relationaldatabase therein pertaining to the particular object smart tag 200 orcheck smart tag 200 that is at the destination. Because both object andcheck smart tags 200 are preferably tracked and tracking information isstored in the relational database of processor CP, the whereabouts andtravel of either or both may be quickly ascertained. If desired checkout station CS may provide a tangible record of such information to anydesire degree of detail. For example, a simple form of such tangiblerecord may include the missing object's or missing check'sidentification and a list of tracking stations by which it passed. Amore comprehensive form of the tangible record may include the object'sidentification, a list of the tracking stations passed, a list of thedates and times thereof, information about the object, its owner, theshipper or recipient, and any other data stored in the relationaldatabase of processor CP.

Moreover, such tangible record may be any one or more of a printeddocument, a computer floppy disk, a computer CD-ROM disk, or any otherdesired medium Where the tangible record is a computer readable medium,such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM disk, the medium, the computerreadable files thereon may include files directing access to either acentral web site or to particular web sites at which further informationmay be accessed and/or retrieved. Such record may be provided topersonnel seeking to find and match up the missing object or check or tothe owner, shipper or recipient thereof, or other person, as may bedesirable and appropriate.

While only one processor (computer) is necessary to the system 10, it isoften convenient to employ a network of processors (computers) in whichplural decentralized processors are linked, as by a network, forexample, together and/or to a central processor CP. Typically, eachlocal processor is associated with one or more stations 20 formonitoring the operation thereof and/or for controlling such station(s)20, and is linked with the central processor CP for communicatingmonitoring information therewith and/or for communicating control and/orprogramming information therewith. Thus, stations 20 may operateindependently, under the control of local computer, under control ofcentral computer CP, or some combination thereof.

Communication between the registration station RS, the various trackingstations 20-1 through 20-N, checkout station CS and (local processorsand) central processor CP may be via any suitable communication means CMincluding but not limited to wire, cable, optical fiber, local areanetwork (LAN), wide area network (WAN), radio (RF) transmission, opticaltransmission or other suitable means, or any combination thereof, withor without one or more communication hubs. Such communication may be inreal time, be periodic or aperiodic, and may include one or morecommunications, and may utilize any suitable format or protocol, such asthe RS485 and/or RS232 standards.

Communication may occur periodically, but promptly (e.g., within secondsor minutes) relative to the speed and frequency of passing of theobjects in transport and the time and date thereof, and the timelinessof tracking and monitoring desired. Communication may be periodic, butless frequent, regarding the status of a station 20. Periodiccommunication may be beneficial for wireless communication to reducefrequency spectrum and bandwidth requirements, and communication unitsmay be placed at higher locations and unobstructed positions, such as ina tall building, or other suitable location for proper communication.

Suitable communication devices are available commercially from severalsources and provide direct communication or communication via relaylinks. Such devices are suitable for communication between computersover local area and wide area networks and may employ CDMA and/or spreadspectrum communication techniques. For example, RF communication devicesavailable from Proxim, Inc., located in Sunnyvale, Calif., include, forexample, a RangeLAN2 system operating at 2.4 GHZ, a StratumBuilding-to-Building system, and a Symphony Home and Small Office systemSuch devices transmit and receive information and programming changesbetween and among central processor CP and local computers and/orcontrol units 40 equipped with a compatible communication device.

Where information is written to and stored in smart tag 200 at each oftracking stations 20-1 through 20-N, communication may be by check outstation CS reading the information so stored in smart tag 200. Smart tag200 may be collected by check out station CS, thereby permitting reuseof the smart tags 200.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an example of a tracking station20 useful in the system of FIG. 2. Station 20 includes an electronicgate 40 and a processor 30 for communicating with smart tag 200, whichmay be an object smart tag or a check smart tag. Processor 30 is coupledto electronic gate 40 which includes a smart tag reader and/or writer 42for at least receiving and decoding information from a smart tag 200that is within its detection region. Processor 30 includes one or morememory devices for storing information relating to station 20, date andtime, and the like, and for storing information read from a smart tag200 or entered via optional data input means 52. Information from memory32 is produced and communicated to smart tag 200 and/or to anotherprocessor via communication means CM.

Preferably, smart tag reader 42 receives information transmitted bysmart tag 200 via an antenna or array of antenna 44, i.e. when smart tag200 is within a space in which electromagnetic radiation from itsantenna 220 is effective to be received by antenna 44 of the smart tagreader 42. In addition, and preferably, the smart tag reader 42 is asmart tag reader/writer 42 that also encodes and transmits informationelectromagnetically via its antenna 44 effective to be received byantenna 220 of smart tag 200 when in the detection region. Such smarttag readers and reader/writer 42 may be of any suitable type, includingcommercially available conventional reader/writers.

As described herein, the antenna 44 may be an all-orientation antennaarray wherein the antenna are operated simultaneously and/or are eitherspatially separated or temporally separated by being activatedsequentially in time to eliminate interference, and a singlereader/writer unit 42 therefor may control and operate a plurality ofantenna 44. It is noted that the use of an antenna array 44 that has theability to detect smart tags 200 in its detection region withsubstantially 100% reading rate may be important to obtain the fullconvenience advantage of the apparatus and/or method. Typically,substantially 100% reading rate means at least a reading rate of about99%, and preferably a reading rate of about 99.5%, irrespective of theorientation of the smart tag within the detection region of the antennaarray. It is noted that variations in the antenna and/or smart tagsand/or reader/writer units, such as variations due to component,production, adjustment, tuning, matching and other tolerances, andvariation over time and temperature, as well as any other sources ofelectromagnetic radiation incident on the antenna, may produce variationof those percentages.

Smart tag 200 includes an electronic device 210 and an antenna 220 bywhich information is provided and/or received. Electronic device 210typically includes an electronic memory 214 in which information isstored and a processor 212. Processor 212 retrieves and codesinformation produced from memory 214 in a form suitable forcommunication via antenna 220 and/or electrical contacts 222.Preferably, processor 210 also codes and provides information receivedvia antenna 220 and/or electrical contacts 222 and stores suchinformation in memory 214.

The coding provided by processor 210 may include modulating anddemodulating signals for radio frequency communication and/or convertinginformation to suitable digital and/or analog signal format forcommunication via antenna 220, and may also include converting receivedinformation to a form, typical a digital format, for storage in memory214. Processor 210 may also perform signal synchronization,authorization verification and/or encryption/decryption as may be deemednecessary and/or convenient.

Information including related information from smart tag 200 and fromelectronic gate 40, e.g., typically information that is a record of anobject passing station 20 or plural stations 20. Such information may beproduced from memory 32 of processor 30 or from memory 214 of smart tag200, or both.

Optionally, electronic gate 20 may also include a display 50 and a datainput means 52 coupled to processor 30 and to reader/writer 40 forcommunicating with a smart tag 200. Display 50 typically includes avisual display device such as a video or computer monitor, LCD display,cathode ray tube, dot-matrix display, touch screen display, or any otherdisplay providing information in a visual form that can be perceived(e.g., seen) by a person. Display 50 may also include an annunciator,loudspeaker, or other sound transducer for providing audible informationthat can be perceived (e.g., heard) by a person, such as an alarm orreminder or warning, e.g., via pre-recorded and/or synthesized speech.Data input means 52 typically includes a keypad, keyboard, touch pad,light pen, or other device by which a person may enter information intoelectronic gate 20.

Display 50 and data input 52 may be used, for example, to monitor theobjects passing or that have passed station 20 and/or for enteringinformation to be stored in the smart tag of an object passing station20, such as information indicating that the object has been manuallyinspected or otherwise received or should receive special handling orattention. Examples in the medical environment include, for example,inspection, quality control, searching for lost medication and/ordevices, evaluation of operation and/or personnel, and the like.

Personnel may enter information requests and the like, i.e. requests fordata items or specific records, via input means 52 which information isstored in a memory 32 associated with processor 30 or is transmitted tosmart tag 200 via reader writer 40. In either case, information fromsmart tag 200 and information entered via input means 52 are related andstored in a memory, and typically provide a record of activity relatingto station 20. The memory in which such information is stored may bememory 214 of smart tag 200, or may be memory 32 of gate 20, or both.

Also optionally, a printer to paper, or an electronic writing devicethat provides the information on other tangible media, such as floppydisks, CDs and other electronic media, may be associated with aparticular station 20 or with a check-in or check-out station, either ona temporary or permanent basis. Such printer may be remote from aparticular station 20 with information communicated thereto byconventional communication means including but not limited to wire,cable, optical fiber, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN),radio transmission, optical transmission or other suitable means, or anycombination thereof, with or without one or more communication hubs.

Alternatively, display 50 may be a touch screen display 50 that providesan easy to use and convenient combined display 50 and input means 52through which information may be provided and information and requestsmay be received. Input means 52, which may be optional in thisembodiment, such as a standard computer keyboard, provides a input meansthrough which information may be entered into processor 30.

Smart tags 200 are typically utilized for tagging and electronicallyidentifying articles by reading information stored in the electronicmemory of the smart tag using contact-less radio-frequency (RF)transmissions. Available smart tags operate at RF frequencies betweenhundreds of kilo-Hertz (KHz) and several giga-Hertz (GHz). Typicalfrequencies for RF smart tags and smart cards (functionally the same butdifferent in form) include 125 KHz, 13.56 MHZ, 915 MHZ and 2.45 GHz. Formedication and medical devices and implements, a smart tag of about 0.5inch by 0.6 inch (about 1.2 cm by 1.5 cm) operating at 13.56 MHZ istypically preferred.

For the present smart tagging system and method, an electronicintegrated circuit in the form of a semiconductor chip is connected toan antenna ANT on a substrate to serve as a tag. The semiconductor chiptypically includes a processor and an electronic memory for storinginformation. Information stored in a smart tag can be read by a suitablesmart tag reader and can be read and written to by a suitablereader/writer. The reader or reader/writer and the tag antenna are tunedsuitably so that RF energy (electromagnetic fields and electricalsignals) can stimulate the tag to emit a signal representative of theinformation (electronic codes or data) stored ill the tag memory. Suchcontact-less RF tags eliminate the need for an electrical contact or aline-of-sight path for communication with the smart tag.

Suitable smart card/smart tag semiconductor chips include the I-CODEchip and the MIFARE chip, both available from Philips Semiconductorslocated in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and the types SLE4442 or SLE4428memory ICs available from Siemens of Germany. Also suitable are the“Tag-it” devices available from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex., the“Pico-Tag” devices available from Inside Technology of France, anddevices available from Microchips of Phoenix, Ariz. Each smarttag/semiconductor chip must have sufficient memory for storing all ofthe information desired to be stored therein. Typically about 100–500bytes is sufficient, one kilobyte or 1000 characters is preferred, and2000 bytes or characters is better.

Suitable smart tags include those, such as an I-code chip, that conformto the ISO15693 format protocol for wireless RF identification tags, asis available from several commercial sources. Smart tags may alsoinclude an overwrite protection feature whereby information storedtherein may be protected from being overwritten or changed, thereby toprovide a measure of security.

Suitable smart tag reader/writers include those available from AvanteInternational Technology, Inc. located in Princeton Junction, N.J., theFast-Track system available from Escort Memory Systems located inCalifornia, the Interrogator Control Module available from SamsysTechnologies, Inc. located in California, and the Memor 2000 RFIDavailable from Minec company located in Taby, Sweden, as well asreaders/writers available from Intermec Technologies Corporation locatedin Everett, Wash., Fargo Electronics, Inc. located in Eden Prairie,Minn., or from Atlantek, Inc. located in Wakefield, R.I.

Suitable processors (both local processor LC and central processor 200)include any modern personal computer (PC), such as those having aPentium®, Celeron®, or similar processor, running a Windows, Unix orother PC operating system. Where a LAN or WAN network is employed,standard PC networking hardware and software may be included in the PCs.Desirably, the processors, as well as the smart tag control unitsreaders/writers, will have redundant memory and information storage,such as by one or more of non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, afloppy disk drive, a CD-write drive and the like.

Applications programs suitable for recording and manipulating theinformation include relational database software such as theWindows-NT-based Microsoft ACCESS database as well as ORACLE, SYBASE andINFORMIX database software, and software languages such as Visual Basic,Java, or other language compliant with American National StandardsInstitute (ANSI) Standard 256. Each database record will typicallyinclude fields some or all of the following information: The articleidentification and/or serial number and/or quantity, station and/oroperation identification, entry and exit time data (arriving andleaving), date, bill of material data, actual/planned material usage,keypad/keyboard entered data, component/part/material smart taginformation, operator/employee/individual smart tag information, qualitycontrol and inspection data, transport provider, and the like. Thus, thedatabase maintains an inventory of the articles, their quantities andlocations and may be utilized to categorize the data contained in thedatabase records for tracking any article or any type or group ofarticles, and/or any station so also provide status and inventory bystation, operator or any other desired category of the stored records.Typically, the database software interfaces with other standardsoftware, such as the standard MRPII software available from the GreatPlains division of Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash.

Desirably, processed information and/or transactional information shouldbe available in human readable form, such as by display on a computermonitor or by print out by a computer printer, both of which may beconventional. Where certain information recorded and/or processed isrepresentative of parameters or conditions that may pose a hazard topersonel or property, or are critical to an operation or process, orindicate a failure of some test or condition, it is desirable to includean alarm, such as a loudspeaker, flashing light, buzzer, speechsynthesizer, or the like, that is activated automatically by anout-of-limit or marginal condition.

FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a memory allocation 240suitable for a smart card 200 for use with the apparatus and/or method.Sections 242, 244, 246 of memory EM of smart tag ST are allocated orsegmented for the storage of particular information. Typically, anEEPROM memory is utilized.

Manufacturers of the electronic devices or chips utilized in smart tagstypically segment the memory thereof into two segments: a first segment242 into which the manufacturer burns in (i.e. permanently stores in away that the information cannot thereafter be changed) a uniqueidentifier of the electronic device or chip. Such permanent number 242may be tens or hundreds of bits in length, as is appropriate forproviding a unique identifier. The remainder of the memory capacity 244,246 is left available for the storing of data therein in use, which datamay be modified, written over or otherwise changed in the use of theelectronic device.

Smart tags 200 are typically utilized for tagging and electronicallyidentifying objects by reading information stored in the electronicmemory of the smart tag using contact-less radio-frequency (RF)transmissions. For the present smart tagging system and method, anelectronic integrated circuit in the form of a semiconductor chip isconnected to an antenna on a substrate to serve as a tag. Thesemiconductor chip typically includes a processor and an electronicmemory for storing information. Information stored in a smart tag can beread by a suitable smart tag reader and can be read and written to by asuitable reader/writer. The reader or reader/writer and the tag antennaare tuned suitably so that RF energy (electromagnetic fields andelectrical signals) can stimulate the tag to emit a signalrepresentative of the information (electronic codes or data) stored inthe tag memory. Such contact-less RF tags eliminate the need for anelectrical contact or a line-of-sight path for communication with thesmart tag.

While it is satisfactory to utilize only the stored permanent numberidentifier 242 to identify the smart tag containing the electronicdevice, it is preferred that the permanent number 242 be stored in arelational database in a processor and be linked to other identifying oruse information for use in identifying the object or article to whichthe smart tag is attached or with which it is associated. Such processoris in communication with the smart tag readers that read informationfrom memory 240 of the smart tags.

One potential problem associated with such smart tags occurs where theinformation desire to be stored therein is simply coded and written intothe writeable memory 244, 246. In that case, any change to theinformation stored therein is undetectable. Typical sources of erroneousor corrupted or erased data include electromagnetic interference,whether accidental or intentional, as well as any intentional orunintentional attempt to modify the stored information, whetherauthorized or unauthorized, such as by a thief or counterfeiter. Havingother than the correct data stored in the memory of the smart tag canlead to misdirection, loss or damage to property and/or injury toperson, none of which is desirable or acceptable.

To reduce the likelihood of undetected erroneous stored information, theremaining memory 244, 246 available to the smart tag user is furthersegmented into two segments. The first segment 244, which is typicallyof greater memory capacity, is allocated for the storage of applicationspecific data, such as the article identification, manufacturer, batchor lot identification and other information, 244 a, and for information244 b that is written back to the smart tag memory by the smart tagreader/writer at the various stations, such as station identification,operation performed, date and time, and the like. The second and smallermemory segment 246 is allocated for storing a relational check number orcode that is a calculated or coded value representative of at least thevalue of the stored application specific data, and preferablyrepresentative of the value of both the permanent number and theapplication specific data. Herein, the relational check number or codeis usually referred to simply as the relational check number to includenumbers and/or codes.

Where the smart tag includes processing capability, the processor can beprogrammed to calculate the relational check number upon each time datais written to its memory, preferably upon command to do so.Alternatively or additionally, each reader/writer or an associatedprocessor or central processor can calculate the relational checknumber. Because the electronic device utilized in a smart tag hassubstantial memory capacity, the relational check number can includemany bits and so can be constructed to permit error correction as wellas error detection.

The foregoing arrangement permits detection of errors and/or changes tothe application specific data at any time by reading the card andrecalculating the relational check number which is then compared to therelational check number read from the smart tag. If the read andcalculated relational check numbers match, then there is a high degreeof certainty that the application specific data has not been changed anddoes not include errors.

It is noted that while the permanent number, the application specificdata and the relational check number or code are referred to as“numbers,” each may include numerical, alphabetic, alpha-numeric andother characters and symbols, conventional or arbitrary, as may bedesired. The relational check number or code is representative of theinformation stored in the memory in accordance with a predeterminedformula or algorithm or other scheme, either on a character by characterbasis or on the basis of one or more combinations of the characters orvalues stored in the memory. Suitable formula and algorithms include,for example, parity checks or other parity representations, sum checks,field relationship checks or any other predetermined relationshipbetween the stored permanent number and application specific data valuesand the relational check number.

Thus, any change to the stored information, including a change thatchanges the stored value of the relational check number or code, will bedetectable and an indication that the stored data contains one or moreerrors or changes. Typically, the particular formula or algorithm thatgenerates the relational check number is not known to third parties andis not derivable from the data stored in the smart tag memory, and sothe relational check number provides a degree of security for theinformation stored in the smart tags.

The formula or other algorithm or other encoder for generating therelational check code or number may be provided in protected firmware,in software or in a combination of firmware and software, to provide ahigher level of security against deciphering or unauthorized coding. Foradditional security, each encoder may also include a unique identifierthat must be paired with coding software having the same uniqueidentifier for enabling proper functioning. The unique encoderidentifier may also be included in or as part of the applicationspecific data.

FIGS. 4B and 4C are schematic representations of memory allocations of arelational database of a processor suitable for use with the apparatusand/or method. Database 1240 represents an aggregation of records storedin relational database computer software running on a processor.Compiling records of data written to smart tags in a relational databaseis particularly advantageous where the data is written to the smart tagand where it is important to be able to retrieve such data should thesmart tag be misplaced, lost or stolen, or if the information storedtherein is changed or corrupted or lost for any reason.

In a complete database, database 1240 illustrated by FIG. 4A stores arecord each time data is written to any smart tag used with the trackingsystem Database 1240 includes, for example, a number of data fieldscomprising a list 1242 of the permanent numbers of the smart tags, alist 1244 of the application specific data of each writing ofapplication specific data to each smart tag, a list 1246 of therelational check number written to each smart tag with each writing ofapplication specific data thereto, and a list 1248 of tag codingidentifiers such as the date, time, reader/writer identification foreach writing of application specific data to each smart tag. Lists 1242,1244, 1246, 1248 are comprised of aggregations of records correspondingto each writing of information to each smart tag, and may be providedfrom one or both of the smart tag and the reader/writer utilized foreach writing of information.

In a simplified database, database 1240′ includes, for example, lists1242, 1246 and 1248. This database arrangement may be advantageous wherethe database is stored in a local processor and/or a smart tagreader/writer where available memory capacity may be more limited thanin another processor. In either a complete or simplified database,information relating to each writing of information to each smart tag iscommunicated to a processor in real time or delayed, and may be periodicor aperiodic. Information may be communicated by any of the meansdescribed as well as by manual communication, e.g., by transporting thesmart tag reader/writer and/or local processor and/or computer mediacontaining the information stored in such smart tag reader/writer and/orlocal processor to another processor.

Suitable relational database software include ACCESS and SQL Serverdatabase software which runs on conventional PC processors with standardoperating systems, such as Windows-NT, both available from MicrosoftCorporation of Redmond, Wash., as well as the ORACLE, SYBASE andINFORMIX database software. Preferably the database software is“Internet-ready” in that it includes features facilitating connection toand communication of information via the Internet.

Each database record will typically include fields for some or all ofthe following application specific data or information in addition tothe permanent number:

-   -   Object information including but not limited to the        identification of the object, its manufacturer, its dispenser        and/or shipper, its patient and/or recipient, the identification        of the mode of, time of, dosage of and/or frequency of        administration, conditions of use, refill and expiration        information, and/or other identifying information, and the like.    -   Station information including but not limited to station        identification, operator/personnel identification, entry and        exit time data (arriving and leaving), date, expiration date,        keypad/keyboard entered data, smart tag information, quality        control/inspection information, and the like.    -   Relational check number representative of any or all of the        foregoing application specific data and/or the permanent number        of the smart tag.

Where the information written to each smart tag is all communicated toand stored in a central database and where all subsequent action to betaken will be taken based upon the information stored in the centraldatabase, then the use of a relational check number to verify theinformation stored in the smart tag and/or detect errors in and changesthereto is of much less importance.

In any case, the central database can be utilized to provide particularinformation, general information, status information, statisticalinformation, and other information on an on-line basis that is at leastas current as the entry of record information into the database. Whereevery writing of information to a smart tag is also replicated in arecord stored in the relational database, the relational databasecontains and can provide a detailed history of the utilization of thesmart tag, e.g., the path of the object's movement and the date and timeof its passing each station as well as information entered at each suchstation.

FIG. 5A is a flow chart schematic diagram of an example of a utilizationof the memory allocations 242, 244, 246, and of memory allocations andrelational database structures 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248 of FIGS. 4A–4C.Information from the smart tag is read 1200, such information including,for example, a permanent number related to the particular smart tag,application specific data relating to the article and stations, and acheck number representative of at least the application specific dataand preferably the application specific data and the permanent number.Application specific data read from the smart tag is decoded 1205 andthe permanent number read from the smart tag is stored.

A cross check 1210 is made between the application specific data and thepermanent number read from the smart tag. Cross check 1210 includescalculating from the application specific data and the permanent numberthe value of the check number and comparing that calculated value to thevalue of the check number read from the smart tag. If the two checknumbers correlate, then there is a high degree of confidence that theapplication specific data does not contain errors and has not beenaltered. It is noted that cross check 1210 is performed at leastinitially using only the information read from the smart tag and so doesnot necessarily require a central processor or database. If there is anon-correlation or other discrepancy, such non-correlation ordiscrepancy produces an alarm 1215 and further correlation steps may betaken.

Results of the reading of smart tags and of the correlation of the checknumbers thereof are reported 1215 in any convenient form Such reportingmay be by aggregation of records in a database for current or delayedreview, by displaying the results or summaries of results or statisticsrelated to results on a human-perceivable display, or by initiating analarm or alert 1215 of lack of correlation of check numbers. Such alarmmay take the form of a print out, a paper document, a visual display, awarning screen, an audible signal, synthesized speech, a signal to acontrol or monitoring station or to a pager or cell phone, or any otherconvenient form of alarm alert or signal.

A further cross check 1220 may be made to check at least the permanentnumber and relational check number stored in the database to thepermanent number and relational check number read from the smart tag.Because the permanent number of a smart tag cannot be changed, crosscheck 1220 includes comparing the relational check number read from aparticular smart tag having a given permanent number with the relationalcheck number stored in the relational database for the most-recentrecord corresponding to that given permanent number. Correspondence orlack of correspondence of the respective relational check numbers fromcross check 1220 is utilized to confirm such correspondence or lackthereof by human-perceivable display or alarm or alert, as describedabove.

In particular, correspondence in cross check 1220 initiates confirming amatch 1230, e.g., by any human-perceivable display, report or alarm, asdescribed above. Lack of correspondence in cross check 1220 is adiscrepancy that initiates giving an alarm 1232, e.g., by anyhuman-perceivable display, report or alarm, as described above.

Initiating a human-perceivable display or alarm, or communicatinginformation to or from another location can include liking 1234 theprocessor performing any of cross checks 1210 and 1230 and/or producinga report or alarm 1215, 1230, 1232, to a remote processor, display oralarm via the Internet. Such linking via the Internet 1232 may includeaccessing a remote relational database, which may be an open database towhich information can be added, deleted or changed or which may be aclosed database not allowing information to be added, deleted or changedvia the Internet link. Access may be controlled by access codes,passwords and the like as desired, and information communicated via theInternet may be encrypted, to provide the desired degree of security.

Further, correlation or lack of correlation or any other differencebetween the information read from a smart tag and the relatedinformation stored in the relational database initiates displaying 1236data from any one or more of the smart tag and a local or centralrelational database, or if such data is limited or missing, displaying1236 a default indication, e.g., whatever information is stored in thedatabase. Displaying 1236 may include displaying information from thesmart tag and the relational database or may be limited, e.g., todisplaying the differences and/or discrepancies of that information, andmay be immediate or delayed. Displaying 1236 may be for each cross check1210, 1220, or may be for any number of cross checks 1210, 1220.

The display of the result or status of any step and/or of theinformation to which attention is to be drawn may be included in adisplay of information, e.g., such as by highlighting or coloring theportion of the displayed information to which attention is to be drawn,or by separately displaying the information to which attention is to bedrawn. Where information desirable to be displayed is available in therelational database, such information is retrieved and displayedautomatically, either locally, remotely or via the Internet, asappropriate. If such information is not so available, a warning orinstruction to an operator is provided to instruct the operator toeither retrieve the information or to segregate or mark the affectedsmart tag for special treatment or handling, e.g., such as alerting anattendant or operator at final or check out station when an articleassociated with that smart tag arrives.

It is noted that the foregoing arrangements and method also can enablethe detection of changing or tampering with the information stored inthe smart card for the unlikely case where the changing or tampering isdone with knowledge of the calculation of the relational check number.In such case, the relational check number is correctly related to theapplication specific data and/or the permanent number and so the simplecross checking 1210 will not detect the changing or tampering. Becausethe information written to each smart tag is also stored in therelational database correlated to the smart tag unchangeable permanentnumber, comparison of the changed or tampered-with information read froma smart card is detectable by cross checking 1220 that read informationagainst the information stored in the relational database.

Where desired, the relational database may be accessed and madeavailable by any convenient means, e.g., by providing same on floppydisk or CD-ROM, optical CD and the like that is easily sent by mail,express and the like, or by making same available via communicationmeans such as wire, cable, optical fiber, LAN, WAN, optical or radiofrequency transmission, the Internet and the like.

FIG. 5B is a flow chart schematic diagram of another example of autilization of the memory allocations 242, 244, 246, and of memoryallocations and relational database structures 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248 ofFIGS. 4A–4C. It is noted that the steps of FIG. 5B include steps asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 5A, but arranged for a more directillustration of certain steps. Information from the smart tag is read1200, such information including, for example, the permanent numberrelated to the particular smart tag, application specific data, and arelational check number (also referred to as a “relational encryptioncode”) representative of at least the application specific data andpreferably the application specific data and the permanent number.

The encoded application specific data and relational check number readfrom the smart tag are decoded and separated 1205′ and are compared1210′ to determine whether the relational encryption or check code ornumber read from the smart tag corresponds to or matches the relationalencryption or check code or number recalculated by the processor fromthe application specific data and the permanent number read from thesmart tag. I.e. match 1210′ is a cross check that includes calculatingfrom the application specific data and the permanent number the value ofthe relational check number and comparing that calculated value to thevalue of the check number read from the smart tag.

If the two check numbers correlate (i.e. match, path “Y”), then there isa high degree of confidence that the application specific data does notcontain errors and has not been altered, and the application specificdata is displayed 1215/1230 along with confirmation that the relationalcheck number correlates.

If there is a non-correlation (i.e. non-match, path “N”) or otherdiscrepancy, such non-correlation or discrepancy produces the display ofa warning or alarm 1215/1232 and initiates further correlation steps.Such further steps include retrieving 1220′/1234′ from a relationaldatabase records stored therein corresponding the particular smart tagrelated, for example, by its permanent number, and displaying or posting1215/1232 such retrieved stored records. Access to the relationaldatabase, if not direct in the processor, is by communication1220′/1234′ with a processor via communication means, typically a LAN orWAN, or via the Internet.

Whether there is correlation or non-correlation of the relational checknumber, a record is stored 1238 in the relational database including theinformation read from the smart tag in step 1200, whether or not theread data correlated or not in step 1210′, and the identity of thestation or check point at which such data was read.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an arrangement employingsmart tags 200 in an environment for processing medicine or medication,medical devices and/or medical implements. Herein, medication is usedand is deemed to include medication and medicine in whatever form, aswell as medical implements, devices and other equipment of any sort, andis representative of any other thing that is to be dispensed or issuedin a controlled manner.

Medication is provided, for example, in bulk or quantity in a containerreferred to as a “master” container 280 that contains plural doses ofthe medication. Medication may be received in container 280 or be placedinto container 280 or be in inventory in container 280, e.g., by amanufacturer, distributor, pharmacy or physician. Doses or units may be“loose” as in the case of a large number of scalpels, syringes, pills ortablets in a bottle, jar, canister or other container, or may beseparately wrapped as in the case of a number of scalpels, syringes orbottles of pills in a box or carton. A master smart tag associated withcarton 280 contains information identifying the medication, quantity,dosage, expiration, lot and date, NDC number, and the like.

In addition, plural smart tags 200-1, 200-2, . . . 200-N are associatedwith each package or dose. Smart tags 200-1, 200-2, . . . 200-N may beincluded in master container 280 or may be encoded and issued by theholder of container 280, e.g., by a manufacturer, distributor, pharmacyor physician. As doses/units or dispensing of the medication is ordered,the medication is placed in a dose or unit container 290, e.g., asmaller container for individual use, and one of the smart tags 200-1,200-2, . . . 200-N is associated with that smaller container 290. Smarttag 200 is at this time encoded to have stored therein patient andtreatment information in addition to the medication information, asdescribed above. Each smart tag 200 is typically firmly attached oraffixed to a respective container 290, e.g., adhesively.

In dispensing or issuing the medication, each individual dose/unitcontainer 290-1-290-3 is placed into or passed through a smart tagtracking station 20. In particular, containers 290-1-290-3 withrespective object smart tags 200-1-200-3 attached are placed within thedetection region of electronic gate 40 including smart tag reader/writer42 and antenna array 44 as described. Also placed into or passed throughgate 100 is the particular prescription or order Rx having check smarttag 200-Rx therewith.

Reader 42 reads the information stored in smart tags 200-1-200-3 and200-Rx and cross checks such information to determine whether themedication dispensed as read from smart tags 200-1-200-3 matches themedication ordered as read from smart tag 200-Rx. If they match, then aconfirmation is displayed or provided. It is noted that a matchindicates that the order has been filled completely as well asaccurately. If they do not match, an alert or alarm is provided, all asdescribed above. The result of such cross check may be stored in arelational data base, may be cross checked against other informationstored in a relational database, or may be related to patient, allergy,treatment norms or other information stored in a relational database,whether the information is in one database or in plural linkeddatabases.

Herein, such checks and/or verification and/or matching typicallyinclude verifying that the information stored on the smart tag has notbeen altered, tampered with or otherwise changed. Such verificationtypically utilizes the relational check number and/or the smart tagoverwrite protection feature, where such are included in the informationstored on the smart tag, thereby to provide a measure of security.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart schematic diagram illustrating an example of atracking system and method in an environment for processing medicine.The container (object) and prescription (check) smart tags are read 300by a smart tag reader, e.g., as in a SMART-TRAKKER™ tracking stationfrom Avante International Technology. The application specificinformation read is decoded 310 and the permanent number or codeidentifying the smart tag is read and noted or recorded 310, such datanow being available for comparison, cross checking and/or other use.

Application specific information from each container smart tag isdisplayed 320, e.g., displayed separately (individually) if plural smarttags are present in the smart tag reader, as in a list or manifest. Ifthe prescription smart tag is present, then the application specificinformation from the prescription tag is also displayed and is compared325 against that from the container smart tags. Also displayed 330 is aconfirmation that the application specific information from thecontainer and prescription smart tags matches or an alert or alarm thatsuch information does not match. In addition, patient specificinformation read from either smart tag is compared 335 with patientinformation and/or medical information (such as allergy, druginteraction or overdose information) stored in a relational database.

Further, the application specific information and/or permanent numberread and decoded/recorded 310 from the smart tags may be linked 340 witha relational database (e.g., by local computer or network) to be storedtherein and/or compared with similar information previously storedtherein. If such information is not available in a local computer or viaa network link, connection 345 may be made via the Internet to a remoterelational database and the information is stored and/or compared asdescribed, wherein access to such relational database is controlled bypassword, access code, encryption or other security means. In use,information in the database is typically updated and so a completehistory of a patient's medication and treatments becomes accumulatedtherein.

If a match of the information read 310, 320 and/or the informationobtained 340, 345 from the relational database is confirmed, thatinformation and a confirmation of a match is displayed 350. If theinformation does not match in any respect, the differences between theinformation read 310, 320 from the smart tags, the information obtained340, 345 from either a local or remote relational database is displayed355 and preferably is highlighted or otherwise made apparent to alert orgive alarm to appropriate personnel. If no application specificinformation is found on either or both smart tags, then a notice thereofis displayed 360 and any information in the relational database relatedby smart tag permanent number may also be displayed 360.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart schematic diagram illustrating another example ofa tracking system and method in an environment for processing medicine.A physician generates 400 a prescription or order embodied in a printedprescription or order with an encoded smart tag attached, wherein thesmart tag is encoded 400 with the prescription information (e.g.,medication, dosage, frequency, number of refills, etc.), patientinformation (e.g., name, address, etc.), and physician information(e.g., name, address, license number, etc.). In addition to theforegoing information essential for the prescription to be filled, otherinformation such as patient allergies, age, insurance, illness ordisease or condition, diagnostic information, and the like, may also beencoded.

In filing the prescription, a smart tag reader at the pharmacy or otherdispenser reads 410 the prescription smart tag and produces or generates410 a pick list from which a pharmacist or other dispensing agent canfill the prescription. The pharmacy fills the prescription and labels420 each item dispensed with a smart tag in which is stored themedication and prescription information. The pharmacy also applies aconventional human-readable printed label which may also includebar-coded information. If the physician does not generate a smart taggedprescription, then the pharmacy encodes 415 one or more prescriptionsmart tags as it generates the pick list from which is fills 420 theorder.

When the prescription is filled, the medication smart tag andprescription smart tag are read and cross checked 430 for completenessand accuracy, e.g., being placed in a tracking station as describedherein, for example, a SMART-TRAKKER™ station or a MEDI-TRAKKER™ stationor an MD-HELPER™ station available from Avante International Technology.If an error is found (no match) 460, an alert or alarm is provided 465,e.g., by recorded and/or synthesized speech. Such reader maybe linked toaccess 440 a relational database for comparing the information read fromthe smart tags with a medical database for verifying and/or identifyingallergy, drug interaction, diagnostic or other information. Anypotential problems or concerns generate a warning or alert 465 to thepharmacist or patient, e.g., by recorded and/or synthesized speech, sothat consultation with the physician may be had.

Where the tracking station includes a smart tag reader/writer, as ispreferred, information may be written to the smart tags as well as readtherefrom, e.g., as part of access 440. For example, when a prescriptionis filled, the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ station can read the numberof refills permitted or remaining from the prescription smart tag,subtract one therefrom and write (as part of access 440) the thenremaining number of refills to the memory of the prescription smart tag.

The present apparatus and/or method also provides an opportunity for thepatient to confirm the correctness of his prescriptions and/or receiveassistance in the proper administration thereof when or after themedication is dispensed. To that end, a patient may have a personalsmart tag reading device, sometimes referred to as a MEDI-TRAKKER™ orMD-HELPER™ device by Avante International Technology, that at leastreads the medication and/or prescription smart tags and may compare orcross check 450 the information read therefrom to provide an indicationof whether the smart tags match or do not match. This permits thepatient to independently confirm that the medication and prescriptionsmart tags indicate that the proper medication was dispensed. Suchdevice is particularly useful in the case where the physician issues 400a prescription with an encoded smart tag affixed, but the pharmacy doesnot use 470 the smart tag to verify the medication dispensed even thougha medication smart tag is associated with the medication.

The MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device for personal or home use mayinclude all of the apparatus of the SMART-TRAKKER™ tracking stationdescribed above, or may be a simplified device. For example, asimplified MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device need only include a basicsmart tag reader and a simple processor for comparing a limited portionof the application specific information read from medication andprescription smart tags, and so could be relatively inexpensive andaffordable. The antenna associated therewith need not be one that hassubstantially 100% reading rate irrespective of smart tag orientation,but may be a simpler inexpensive antenna, e.g., as described below. SuchMEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device can read the medication informationfrom the smart tag of the medication container and reproduce at leastthe information therefrom, for example, as synthesized speech, and mayalso augment such information, so as to assist persons who are visuallyimpaired.

A MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device having additional features providesthe patient with a display of the information read from the smart tags,and/or provides 455 a reminder (e.g., by visual and/or audible alarmand/or recorded and/or synthesized speech) of times to take medication.In such case, the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device may include anacknowledgment or confirmation button or other input device by which thepatient can indicate to the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device the factthat the medication was taken and the time thereof, and/or the patientcan simply place the medication container having a smart tag within thedetection region of the antenna thereof.

A MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device having further capability could,for example, either include or be coupled to a microprocessor, computeror other processor, e.g., a laptop computer, which includes a relationaldata base of patient information and/or medical information forproviding 455 reminders, signals and alerts of times and dosages ofmedications to take, audible and/or spoken reminders to obtain refillsor physician re-authorization, and/or possible allergic reactions, druginteractions, inappropriate treatments and the like (e.g., by visualand/or audible alarm and/or recorded and/or synthesized speech).

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of amedical tracker apparatus 800, such as apparatus of the MEDI-TRAKKER™ orMD-HELPER™ device type. Apparatus 800 includes a processing unit 810, asmart tag reader/decoder 820, a memory 816, an input/output (I/O) 830and a power supply 840. Processing unit 810 includes a microprocessor812, such a type 8051F020 low-power processor available from CygnalIntegrated Products, Inc., located in Austin, Tex., and a real-timeclock 814 for providing day, date and time information to processor 812.

Associated with and coupled to processor 812 is a memory 816, including,for example, a static random access memory (SRAM) 817, preferably of 32kilobytes or larger capacity. Information stored in memory 816 includes,e.g., information read from smart tags associated with medications,medical devices and/or implements that have been placed within thedetection region of an antenna 824 that is associated with apparatus 800(described below), as well as additional information entered via keypad836 and/or display 834 where display 834 is a touch-screen device. Inaddition, information pertaining to drug interactions, acceptabledosages and frequencies of administration, telephone numbers and othercontact information for emergency contacts, and the like may also bestored therein. Static memory, i.e. memory that retains the informationstored therein, is preferred so that information is not lost shouldpower to apparatus 800 be interrupted, either accidentally orintentionally.

Apparatus 800 is provided electrical power by power source 840 whichincludes a power supply 842 typically providing DC power, e.g., at 6volts and up to about 0.4 ampere, from the local power mains, e.g., awall outlet. Apparatus 800 also includes a battery 844, e.g., four sizeAA battery cells, for providing power at times when power is unavailablefrom power supply 842, e.g., during times of power outage due to storm,blackouts, and/or equipment problems, or when apparatus 800 is unpluggedfrom a wall outlet in being moved to another location. Battery 844 maybe single use battery or may be rechargeable from power supply 842.Power manager 846 controls the supplying of power from power supply 842and/or battery 844, and the charging of battery 844 if rechargeable.Thus apparatus 800 is powered at all times, unless the combination ofpower outage and removed or discharged battery occur at the same time.In any event, patient information stored in memory 816 is preserved.

Decoder 820 includes at least a smart tag reader 822 coupled to antenna824 for reading information from smart tags placed within the detectionregion thereof. Decoder 820 is coupled to processor 810 for providinginformation read from a smart tag thereto and optionally for writinginformation from processor 810 onto a smart tag via antenna 824.Typically, reader 822 is an integrated circuit, such as an I-code readerchip conforming to the ISO15693 format protocol for wireless RFidentification tags, as is available from several commercial sources.Antenna 824 typically operates with reader 822 at 13.56 MHZ and istypically a small antenna suitable for convenient home use, e.g., of thesort shown and described in relation to FIGS. 12A–12B and FIGS. 13A–13Cand 14.

Processor 810 can also verify the information read from the medicationsmart tag utilizing the relational check number described above, andpreferably does so. Information read from a medication smart tag bydecoder 820, e.g., the medication name, dosage and frequency and/ortimes of administration thereof, is utilized by processor 810 toschedule times when reminders to take the medication are provided viainput/output 830. For a smart tag that has an overwrite protectionfeature whereby information stored therein may be protected from beingoverwritten or changed, processor 810 can verify whether such feature isactivated, thereby to provide a measure of security.

Input/output functions 830 couple with processor unit 810 forcommunicating with external apparatus and/or persons, including thepatient or other user, i.e. comprise a user interface. Display 834 maybe a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other display device for visuallypresenting information to the patient or other user, e.g., via an LCDpanel of 128×64 pixels or larger, and may be illuminated by displaylighting 833, e.g., an electro-luminescent (EL) back-lighting device.Illuminated display 833, 834 provides a visual indication helpful forcommunicating with people who may be hearing impaired, and may provide adisplay with large font characters and/or high brightness to assist thevisually impaired. Display 833, 834 may also produce or include aseparate device to produce bright and/or flashing light to serve as anattention getter, warning, alarm and/or reminder, even when the patientor other user is not near the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device, or ishearing impaired. Display 834 could include a Braille output device forthe visually impaired.

Speech synthesizer 835 provides information to a patient or other userin audible form, e.g., speech as well as sounds, and is helpful forcommunicating information to persons who may not be near theMEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device or who may be visually impaired.Speech synthesizer 835 typically comprises an integrated circuit such asthe type WS701 circuit available from Winbond, Inc., located in SanJose, Calif., coupled to a sound reproducing device, such as aloudspeaker, piezo-electric device and the like. The speech and/oraudible information may be generated by an integrated circuit or may begenerated by a software program running on processor unit 810, e.g.,stored in memory 816 and executed by processor 812. Speech synthesizer835 may also produce or include a separate device to produce loud and/orintermittent sound, such as a bell or buzzer sound and the like, toserve as an attention getter, warning, alarm and/or reminder, even whenthe patient or other user is not near the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™device

Keypad 836 provides means for entering information into apparatus 800,such as entering an inquiry seeking information regarding medicationand/or its administration, indicating that a medication and/or treatmenthas been taken and/or administered, for initiating, setting, changingand disabling alarms and automatic reminders, and the like. Typically, a3×4, 4×4 or other size numerical keypad, e.g., a telephone touch keypad,is sufficient. Keyboard 836 could include a Braille keyboard or inputdevice for the visually impaired.

Panic button 837 provides a direct means for entering information of aspecific type, e.g., for summoning assistance and/or help, either fromsomeone locally (nearby) or remote. Typically, panic button 837 may be aclearly evident separate input device, such as a physical button thatis, e.g., large and/or brightly colored (e.g., red), and possibleilluminated so as to be easy to find in the dark. Optionally, a panicbutton 837 may be provided that is separate from the remainder ofapparatus 800 (which is typically packaged in a plastic or metalcontainer), and which communicates with apparatus 800 via radio,infrared or other wireless means, or via the electrical wiring. Suchpanic button 837 may be on a pin or necklace that may be worn by thepatient or other user, and so may be useful for calling for help in anemergency or other situation when the person cannot reach apparatus 800to activate a panic button 837 thereon. In either arrangement, panicbutton 837 cooperates with processor 812 for activating communicationwith a location remote from apparatus 800, e.g., by telephone, wirelesscommunication to a cordless telephone, cellular telephone and/or via theInternet.

To this end, input/output 830 includes an interface device 831 and awireless transmitter 832 for wireless communication to a location remotefrom apparatus 800. Typically, interface 831 is a standard RS232interface integrated circuit and wireless transmitter 832 is an RS232wireless transmitter and antenna, e.g., operating at 900 MHZ, tocommunicate with a wireless receiver within its communication range.This allows communication in event of an emergency (e.g., a fall,seizure, attack or other medical event) or if a patient fails toindicate to apparatus 800 that a medication has been taken or atreatment administered within a predetermined time period, e.g., withinan hour of an indicated time.

Such communication could be to a care giver at the same or a nearbylocation, or to a neighbor, relative or other care giver, or to adoctor, nurse, police, fire, ambulance or other emergency personnel at aremote location. In any event, the recipient may be communicated to viaa telephone call, and/or may have a receiver unit similar to wall unit850 for receiving wireless signals from unit 800 and producing anappropriate signal, alarm, notice, warning and the like, e.g., utilizingdevices like display 833, speech synthesizer 835 as described above.Communication to a central computer, server or other computer or anInternet connection is not necessary to the operation of apparatus 800,although such communication could optionally provide access to largerand more sophisticated medical and other databases of information.

Wall adapter 850 includes a wireless receiver 852, typically an RS232wireless transmitter and antenna, e.g., operating at 900 MHZ, tocommunicate with wireless transmitter 832. Operation at 900 MHZ isconvenient because many household devices (such as cordless/wirelesstelephones) operate in this frequency band making integrated circuittransmitters, receivers and transmitter/receivers readily available atlow cost. Wall unit 850 includes an MCU 854 which couples signals fromreceiver 852 to dial tone modulation frequency (DTMF) device 856 whichinitiates telephone dialing with telephone line 858 and communicatesinformation from MCU 854 thereto once connection is established.Communication via telephone line 858 can be to a telephone, a cellulartelephone, a cordless telephone, an automatic response device or serviceand/or via the Internet.

Because apparatus 800 can connect to the Internet via telephone line 858of wall adapter 850, information can be received by and/or downloaded toapparatus 800 as well as sent or transmitted thereby. For example,information concerning the specific medication, medical device and thelike can be downloaded from the dispensing pharmacy, hospital or otherprovider, and so may be compared by processor 810 with information readfrom the medication smart tag, e.g., for verification. In the event thatthe dispenser does not utilize a medication smart tag, the downloadedinformation can be utilized by apparatus 800 to at least providereminders to administer medication and/or treatment as well as of timesand dosages thereof, and can also warn of possible hazards such as druginteractions and/or allergies.

Power for wall adaptor 850 is provided by AC/DC converter 859 fromelectrical power drawn from telephone line 858 and/or from a nearbyelectrical outlet (not shown), and may also include a battery forproviding power when power is not available from either telephone line858 or a wall outlet, so as to allow communication in times of powerfailure. Thus, power unit 859 may be similar to power unit 840 describedabove.

Wireless transmitters and receivers 832, 852 may be type SP3223available from SIPEX located in Billerica, Mass., or type NRF903available from Nordic VLSI ASA, located in Oslo Norway. MCU 854 may be asmall MCU such as the type 8051F300 available from Cygnal IntegratedProducts, Inc., located in Austin, Tex., and DTMF may be a type CMX867available from CML Consumer Products, located in Ltd. Essex, England.

FIG. 10A is a schematic flow diagram illustrating additional aspects ofthe method of FIG. 8 in context with medical tracker apparatus 800 ofFIG. 9. If the patient has both the prescription smart tag and themedication smart tag, both are read 451 by the MEDI-TRAKKER™ orMD-HELPER™ device, the information read is stored 452 and is comparedand cross checked 450, 453 for consistency, and if not consistent(matching), an alarm is provided 455 as above. If the patient has onlythe medication smart tag, i.e. has the medication container including asmart tag storing information relating to the medication therein, theinformation is read 451 and is stored 452, but is not compared 453. Avisual confirmation of the information read 451 is displayed 456 of areadout device, such as an LCD display, and/or the information read 451is provided 456 in audible form, such as by recorded or synthesizedspeech. Thus, the medical information including such information asmedication, quantity, dosage, frequency of administration, conditions ofadministration, refills authorized, physician and/or pharmacyidentification and/or contact information, and the like, is stored 452in the memory of the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device.

Optionally, but preferably, the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ deviceincludes a database of basic pharmacological information, e.g., druginteraction, proper dosage and frequency ranges, allergies, and thelike, utilized to perform a pharmacological check 458, the result ofwhich is also provided 456 visually and or audibly, at least if anyadverse or unusual condition or interaction is identified. Seriousadverse indications could be utilized to initiate external notification480, e.g., of a relative, neighbor, care giver, or other appropriateperson.

Information read 451 and stored 453 for each medication smart tag readis utilized for scheduling 470 the times when medication and/ortreatment is due to be administered and for providing 456 a reminderthereof, i.e. audibly and/or visually. In particular, the medicationname, dosage and frequency and/or times of administration thereof areutilized to schedule times when reminders to take the medication areprovided. If the medication is taken and is acknowledged 472, e.g., bypressing an acknowledgment button and/or placing the medication into thedetection region of the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device, theindication is recorded, the quantity of medication is adjusted and itsrefill status determined 474.

Determining refill status includes considering the quantity ofmedication remaining and the frequency of administration to determinewhen to provide 456 a reminder to order a refill and considering whetheranother refill is authorized to determine when to provide a reminder toseek a renewal from the ordering physician. Optionally, where theMEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device includes a suitable processor andprogramming, a refill order can be generated 476 and externalnotification thereof provided 480, e.g., via the telephone dialerfeature of the MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device or via the Internet.

The administration acknowledgment 472 and determined 474 refill statusis communicated to the scheduler 470 and if action is not taken within apredetermined time, external notification can be provided 480 as above.Similarly, if the administration of one or more medications is erratic,or if a number of administrations are missed, scheduler 470 couldprovide 456 a reminder, an alarm and/or an external notification 480,depending upon the extent and duration of the departure from thescheduled administration or upon an absolute condition, as may beprogrammed. Where it appears that the wrong medication has been taken orthat the frequency of administration is other than as read 451 from themedication smart tag, an alarm or warning and/or external notification480 can be provided 456.

Such predetermined time will depend upon the event scheduled, e.g., formedication that is critical to continued health, missing anadministration by an hour or two could be cause for providing externalnotification 480, while for comfort medication such as pain relief,there might be no time for providing 480 external notification so longas other administrations are reasonably timely. For many medicationstaken daily where one missed administration may not be immediatelydangerous, such as an anti-hypertensive, a diuretic, a cholesterolcontroller and the like, a 24 hour time might be utilized. Regardingrefilling and or renewing prescriptions 474, ignoring an initialreminder or two might not prompt external notification 480, however, asthe time to exhaustion of the medication approaches, externalnotification may be provided 480 if the medication is important tohealth and well being, but may not be provided for a comfort medication.

In addition, assistance may be summoned by activating a panic button 482feature that initiates an immediate external notification 480 t theappropriate care giver or provider of assistance. The recipient ofexternal notification 480 need not be the same under all conditions thatprovide 480 external notification, for example, a missed dose of dailymedication might prompt notification 480 of a neighbor, friend orrelative, while the missing of a critical medication might promptnotification 480 of a nurse or other skilled responder, and theactivation of the panic button 482 might prompt the notification 480 ofthe police or first aid squad, either initially or if not reset within apredetermined time.

Thus, the apparatus and method described can provide automatic remindersto take medication and/or to give warning when medication is takenimproperly, e.g., in time, frequency and/or amount.

FIG. 10B is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a medical informationaspect 1000 of the method of FIG. 8 in context with medical trackerapparatus 800 of FIG. 9, and/or such aspect in the context of thearrangements described above in relation to FIGS. 1, 7 and/or 10A.Diagnostic data is collected 1010 concerning a patient, e.g.,information such as identity, age, height, weight, sex, race, family andgenetic data, medical history, physical handicaps, known medicalconditions, known medical allergies, and current ailment conditions suchas symptoms, duration, temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, bloodtest data, urine test data, physician observations and the like, at acurrent time and/or at various times, and is entered into a computer orother processor.

An Automated Diagnostic Program (ADP), i.e. software operating inconjunction with the computer or other processor, includes medicaldiagnostic information generated from medical testimonies, medicaltexts, standard treatment protocols, and the like for providing and/oridentifying one or more ailments and/or conditions that correspond withthe indicated patient information. An initial diagnosis 1012 is providedby the ADP software for review and use by the physician in making adiagnosis 1020 and/or ordering a treatment and/or medication 1020.Typically, the initial diagnosis presented by the ADP software mayidentify one or more particular conditions and/or diseases or groups ofconditions and/or diseases that are likely or possible in view of theavailable information, e.g., presented in order of likely probability ofbeing correct.

In addition, or alternatively if insufficient information is availablefor making an initial diagnosis, the ADP software may also indicateand/or recommend additional testing and/or data collection and/orobservations 1014 that might be useful in diagnosing and treating and/orin further diagnosing and treating the patient and/or in refining and/orverifying an initial or other diagnosis and/or treatment. Additionaltests 1014 recommended may be presented as one or more groups orbatteries of one or more tests each, e.g., in order of likelyimportance.

Typically, the physician initial or tentative diagnosis and/or treatment1020, 1022 may include the most probable ailment and the prescribedtreatment protocol and medication as determined by the physicianassisted by information from the ADP software.

Optionally, but preferably, the ADP software automatically crossreferences 1030 the treatment and/or medication prescribed by thephysician 1020 with medical information for identifying indications andcontraindications therefor. Examples of such cross references mayinclude cross referencing prescribed medications to an NDC or othermedication database for checking for appropriateness, effectiveness,contraindications, alternatives, drug interactions, expected benefitsand/or side effects, possible allergic reactions, specific patientallergies, and the like.

If the cross reference 1030 confirms the appropriateness of thetreatment and/or medication, treatment and/or medication 1022 asprescribed by the physician is administered to the patient. If not, thephysician may continue diagnosing, with or without assistance from theADP software, until satisfied with a diagnosis and treatment and/ormedication, and then the treatment and/or medication 1022 as prescribedby the physician is administered to the patient. Treatment 1022 mayinclude, for example, one or more of the giving of one or moremedications, the administration of one or more treatments and/or tests,the making of observations and/or the collecting of patient and/ortreatment data.

In response to the additional testing and/or data collection 1014,and/or to observations made by a physician and/or other medicalpersonnel in the course of treatment and/or medication 1022, thetreatment and/or medication may be confirmed and/or modified 1024,including any or all of the aspects thereof set forth above.

Optionally, but preferably, the diagnostic and other data 1010 collectedfrom the patient and/or examination and/or interview is stored 1026 in apatient record in a patient database, wherein at the initial collection1010 the patient data record is established for that patient in thepatient database and the patient record is thereafter updated 1026 bythe addition to and/or modification of the patient information storedtherein. Examples of times at and during which data may be collectedand/or otherwise obtained include, e.g., the collection of diagnosticdata 1010, the additional testing and/or data collection 1014, thephysician diagnosis and/or treatment 1020, and/or the confirming and/ormodifying of treatment and/or medication 1024.

It is noted that all or part of medical information aspect 1000 may beassociated with any one or more of the embodiments described herein. Forexample: The reading 140 and comparing 150 of information from a smarttag and the searching a relational database 190 described in relation toFIG. 1 may include steps 1010, 1012, 1014, 1030, 1022 (as to dispensingmedication and/or a medical apparatus), 1024, and/or 1026. The comparingof patient information and medical information either directly or via acommunication link 340, 345 to a relational database described inrelation to FIG. 7 may include steps 1010, 1012, 1014, 1030, 1022 (as todispensing medication and/or a medical apparatus), 1024, and/or 1026;the generating of a patient treatment history described in relation toFIG. 7 above may include steps 1010, 1014, 1030, 1022 (as to medicationand/or a medical apparatus dispensed and/or administered), 1024, and/or1026. The comparison with a relational database and medical informationdatabase 440 and/or the cross checks 430, 450 described in relation toFIG. 8 above may include steps 1010, 1012, 1014, 1030, 1022 (as todispensing medication and/or a medical apparatus), 1024, and/or 1026.The and/or the cross check 450 and/or pharmacological check 458described in relation to FIG. 10A above may include steps 1012, 1014,1030, 1022 (as to medication and/or medical apparatus), 1024, and/or1026.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are an unfolded view and an isometric view,respectively, of an open or trough antenna array arrangement 500. Openantenna array 500 includes three panels, e.g., a bottom or center panel510 and two spaced apart side panels 520 contiguous thereto, wherein thetwo side panels 520 are typically positioned perpendicular to centerpanel 510, but may be at a greater or lesser angle, if convenient ordesired. For example, the angle between adjacent panels may be betweenabout 80° and about 100°. FIG. 11A is an “unfolded” view in that panels520 are illustrated in a plane with center panel 510, rather thanperpendicular thereto as in the position in which they are utilized. Thedesignations “bottom” and “side” are examples in that antenna array 500may be utilized in any desired orientation. For example, the side called“bottom” may be positioned at the top or a side depending upon the needand/or convenience in a particular application or environment, e.g., soas to allow a “tall” or “wide” object to pass without hindrance.

Panels or planes 510, 520 define an open passage or trough 504, i.e. adetection region, through which articles may pass (e.g., in thedirection indicated by arrow 506) or in which articles and/or objectsmay be placed for detecting wireless tags (smart RFID tags) thereon, asdescribed above. The passage 504 is described as “open” because it isnot enclosed on four sides, as is the case, for example, for antennaarrays 10, 10′, 10″, 10 a and 10 p of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5A and 5B. An openpassage or trough is convenient and may be desirable because itfacilitates its installation, e.g., in locations with pre-existingconveyors, allows for passage of an article having a height greater thanthe height of the passage, and makes manual retrieval of any articletherein easier and safer.

For example, antenna array 500 may be installed in or removed from anoperation position in which a conveyor moves articles having wirelesstags through passage or trough 504 thereof without having to remove theconveyor, as is the case with a closed or “tunnel” type of antenna arraywherein the conveyor must traverse an enclosed passage. Installation andremoval of antenna array 500 may be further facilitated where panels 520are either hinged to panel 510 and/or are detachable therefrom and sucharrangement also eases transport.

Typically, antenna array 500 is disposed with center panel 510 at bottomwith a conveyor passing through passage 504 parallel and proximate topanel 510 and with side panels 520 extending upwardly on either side ofthe conveyor. For an example baggage conveyor, such as may be utilizedat an airport or railroad station, array 504 may have a length L ofabout 60–80 inches (about 1.5–2 meters), a width W of about 36–43 inches(about 0.9–1.1 meters) and a height H of about 25–30 inches (about0.63–0.76 meters), thereby to accommodate a 1 meter wide conveyor belt,although other dimensions may be utilized for other applications ofarray 500.

Example antenna array 500 includes five loop antenna 530, 532, 550, 552,554, each of which is coupled by a tuning circuit, matching networkand/or filter 540 (e.g., similar to tuning network or filter 36described above) to a wireless article reader/decoder (e.g., similar toreader/decoder 50, 150, 160 described above). The loops of antenna 530and 532 extend to proximate the edge of panel 520 and are partiallyoverlapping, e.g., with about 10–40% of the area being overlap, and aredisposed on both bottom panel 510 and one of panels 520, e.g., withabout 20–70% of the area on one panel. Similarly, the loops of antenna550 and 552 extend to proximate the edge of other panel 520 and arepartially overlapping, e.g., with about 10–40% of the area beingoverlap, and are disposed on both bottom panel 510 and the other one ofpanels 520, e.g., with about 20–70% of the area on one panel. Inaddition, the loop of antenna 554 is disposed on panel 510 and overlapseach of loop antenna 550, 552, e.g., by about 10–35%.

In one example antenna array 500 suitable for detecting wireless tagsassociated with baggage, as might be utilized in an airport or railstation, array 500 is 79 inches long, 43 inches wide and 29 inches high(about 2.0 by 1.1 by 0.74 meters). The structure of panels 510, 520 isprovided by a “U-shaped” frame of tubular members (e.g., plastic pipecovered with a plastic netting to which antenna 520–552 are fastened)Each of loop antenna 530, 532, 550, 552 is generally elliptical in shapeand has a minor diameter of about 22 inches (about 0.56 meter) and amajor diameter of about 40 inches (about 1.02 meters) of which about 29inches (about 0.74 meter) is on a panel 520 and about 11 inches (about0.28 meter) is on panel 510. Of the 22 inch minor diameter (about 0.56meter), about 8 inches (about 0.2 meter) overlaps the nearest like loopantenna. The exact percentage of overlap may vary depending upon theshape and mutual coupling of the loop antenna to produce a near-fieldeffect of mutual non-canceling fields in all three mutually orthogonaldirections.

The loop antenna 530–554 of antenna array 500 may operate in parallel(i.e. simultaneously) via connections provided by coaxial cables andcoaxial connectors, e.g., Tee connectors and cable connectors of the BNCtype. Appropriate tuning, isolation and decoupling is provided by tuningand matching circuits 540, and by selecting an appropriate length forthe interconnecting coaxial cable, e.g., about 14 inches (about 0.36meter) between overlapping antenna 530–532 and 550–552. Typically, eachantenna 530–554 is first tuned with its associated matching-filteringnetwork 540, e.g., by adjusting variable tuning capacitors thereof.After the antenna 530–554 are connected by 50-ohm coaxial cables and BNCTee connectors, they are re-tuned and matched for satisfactoryread-write distances in each of the x, y and z directions for therespective panels 510, 520. Interactions between the fields produced byeach loop antenna 530–554 necessitates such adjustment using thevariable tuning capacitors included in each of tuning/matching circuits540.

Alternatively, antenna 530–554 may be switched and/or sequenced in time,although simultaneous operation is presently thought to be preferable.

Thus, loop antenna 530–554 cooperate to establish electromagnetic fieldswithin detection region 504 of sufficient field strength to communicatewith wireless tags at a predetermined frequency, e.g., withsubstantially 100% reading accuracy independent of the orientation andposition of the tag within passage 504.

One preferred example wireless tag useful with antenna 500 in a baggagetracking application operates at about 13.56 MHZ and has a spiralantenna about two inches by three inches in size. Tuning circuits 540couple and tune antennas 530–554 to communicate with a wireless articlereader/writer that operates at about 13.56 MHZ, typically at an averagepower level of about 4 watts or less, however, greater power may beutilized for larger antenna arrays. Wireless tags, readers/writers andantenna that operate and communicate at other frequencies may also beutilized.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are an unfolded view and an isometric view,respectively, of an open antenna array arrangement 600. Open antennaarray 600 includes two panels, e.g., a bottom or base panel 610 and avertical or side panel 620 contiguous thereto, wherein the side panel620 is typically positioned perpendicular to base panel 610, but may beat a greater or lesser angle, if convenient or desired. For example, theangle at which the two panels are disposed may be between about 80° andabout 100°. FIG. 12A is an “unfolded” view in that panel 620 isillustrated in a plane with base panel 610, rather than perpendicularthereto as in the position in which they are utilized. The designations“bottom” and “base,” and “vertical” and “side,” are examples in thatantenna array 600 may be utilized in any desired orientation.

Panels or planes 610, 620 define an open passage or detection region 604therebetween through which articles may pass or in which articles and/orobjects may be placed for detecting wireless tags (smart RFID tags)thereon, as described above. An open passage or region is convenient andmay be desirable because it facilitates its installation, e.g., inlocations with preexisting conveyors, allows for detection of an articlehaving a size greater than the size of the detection region and makesmanual placement and retrieval of any article therein easier andconvenient.

For example, while antenna array 600 may be installed in or removed froman operation position in relation to a conveyor as described above, itis thought to be suited for use where a person or machine placesarticles having wireless tags into the detection region 604 thereof.Typically, antenna array 600 is placed on a counter, table or otherhorizontal surface with panel 610 at bottom and with side panel 620extending upwardly. Alternatively, antenna array may be mounted to awall, cabinet or other vertical surface with base panel 610 extendingtherefrom For an example in dispensing of relatively small objects, suchas may be utilized at a pharmacy or hospital for dispensing medicationand/or medical devices, array 604 may have a length L of about 38 inches(about 0.97 meter), a width W of about 10–30 inches (about 0.25–0.76meter) and a height H of about 26 inches (about 0.13–0.38 meter),although other dimensions may be utilized for other applications ofarray 600.

Example antenna array 600 includes two loop antenna 630, 632, each ofwhich is coupled by a tuning circuit, matching network and/or filter 640(e.g., similar to tuning network or filter 36 described above) to awireless article reader/decoder (e.g., similar to reader/decoder 50,150, 160 described above). The loops of antenna 630 and 632 extend toproximate the edges of panels 610, 620 and are partially overlapping,e.g., with about 10–40% of the area being overlap, and are disposed onboth panel 610 and panel 620, e.g., with about 20–70% on one panel.

The loop antenna 630–632 of antenna array 600 may operate in parallelwith appropriate isolation and decoupling provided by tuning circuits640, i.e. simultaneously as above, and/or may be switched and/orsequenced in time. Thus, loop antenna 630–632 cooperate to establishelectromagnetic fields within detection region 604 of sufficient fieldstrength to communicate with wireless tags (RFID tags) at apredetermined frequency, e.g., with substantially 100% reading accuracyindependent of the orientation and position of the tag within detectionregion 604.

One preferred example wireless tag useful with antenna 600 operates atabout 13.56 MHZ and has a spiral antenna about two inches by threeinches in size. Another preferred example wireless tag useful withantenna 600 in dispensing medication in relatively small containersoperates at about 13.56 MHZ and has a spiral antenna about 0.5 inches by0.6 inches in size. Tuning circuits 640 couple and tune antennas 630–632to communicate with a wireless article reader/writer that operates atabout 13.56 MHZ, typically at an average power level of about 4 watts orless.

The described arrangement is suitable for wireless tags andreaders/decoders operating at frequencies near 13.56 MHZ for producing asuitable near-field effect for reading information from the wireless tagand for transmitting signals information thereto. Antenna array 600 maybe small, e.g., about 4 by 4 by 4 inches (about 0.10 by 0.10 by 0.10meter) or less, depending upon the strength of the fields produced atthe operating frequency, e.g., 13.56 MHZ. Wireless tags, readers/writersand antenna that operate and communicate at other frequencies may alsobe utilized.

It is noted that antenna 500 and/or antenna 600 may be fabricated and/orshipped “flat” and then be “folded” into the trough or “L” shapeconfiguration at a test and/or use location or may be fabricated and/ortransported in the trough or “L” shape configuration. The coaxial cableof which antenna 500, 600 are preferably made may be formed and attachedto a structure and/or frame defining the trough and/or “L” shape eitheras part of fabrication of antenna 500, 600 or at a test and/or uselocation.

Loop antenna array 500 (and/or 600) may include a light or infraredsource and detector pair 560 a, 560 b for detecting objects passingthrough the detection region 504 thereof. The light and/or IR beambetween source/detector pair 560 a, 560 b will be broken or interruptedby an object passing therethrough to provide an independent signal thatmay be correlated with detection of a wireless article and/or RFID tagassociated with the object passing therethrough, and so may be utilizedfor providing an independent check or confirmation that the object istagged and that the wireless tag has been detected via antenna 500. Suchcheck or confirmation may be utilized in testing and/or evaluatingantenna array 500, and/or in operating antenna array 500. Pair 560 a,560 b could be connected to a counter and/or to an alarm, e.g., as fordetecting untagged or improperly tagged baggage that may pose a securityand/or accounting issue to be investigated and/or resolved, and/or toalert an appropriate person of such situation or possible non-detection.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are isometric views of example embodiments of openantenna array 700, 700′ and FIG. 13C is a view of the bottom of theexample antenna array 700 of FIG. 13A. Example antenna 700 is ofgenerally rectangular shape and has four sides or walls 712, 714, 716,718 extending from a bottom or base 710, thereby to define a generallyrectangular opening or detection region 704 into which an objectincluding an RFID tag or wireless tag may be placed to be identifiedand/or detected by electromagnetic fields coupled via loop antenna 720.

Example antenna array 700′ of FIG. 13B is like antenna array 700 exceptthat its wall(s) 712–718 define a generally circular or elliptical oroval shape. In fact, wall(s) 712–718 may be arranged to define anydesired shape of container. Antenna arrangements 700, 700′ may beparticularly useful with medication containers, medical devices, and thelike, that are tagged or associated with a wireless identification tag,e.g., in a hospital, pharmacy and/or home or use environment.

Loop antenna 720 is disposed in a meandering or serpentine fashion onsides 712, 714, 716, 718 and base 710 generally as illustrated.Specifically, loop antenna 720 has a fixed wavy or undulating shape,e.g., defines a generally wavy or sinusoidal-like shape 722, 724, 726 oneach of sides 712, 714 716, respectively, being proximate base 710 nearthe intersections of sides 712, 714, 716, 718 and distal base 710 at anintermediate region of each of sides 712, 714, 716. Loop antenna 720 isdisposed in a “pretzel-like” shape 728 on base 710 wherein loops 728 a,728 b, 728 c are defined by the cable of loop 728 of antenna 720crossing over itself, e.g., three times. Loop antenna 720 couples totuning circuit 740 disposed, for example, on side 718, which couples toan RFID tag reader and/or writer, and/or a processor, computer and/orutilization device or system 750, e.g., as described herein.

Thus, loop antenna 720 has at least two (preferably three) fixedundulating loop portions 722, 724, 726 on the side(s) or wall(s) 712,714, 716 of container 700, 700′ and has at least two (preferably three)loop portions 728 on the bottom or base thereof, thereby defining adetection region 704. Loop antenna 720 is preferably formed of a coaxialcable, e.g., a type RG 174/U coaxial cable, disposed in the patterndescribed and illustrated, and is preferably enclosed within the wall(s)and base of a container 700, 700′. While the wall(s) 712–718 areillustrated as being generally perpendicular to base 710, they may be atan angle with respect thereto, e.g., between 80° and 100°, typicallyoutwardly so that the opening to detection volume 704 is larger than isbase 710.

FIG. 14 is an isometric diagram illustrating the arrangement of theantenna 700 of the example antenna array of FIGS. 13A and 13C. Thewall(s)/side(s) 712–718 and base/bottom 710 are illustrated astransparent so that the arrangement of loop antenna 720 is visible. Thecoaxial cable of antenna 720 includes three undulations 722, 724, 726and a three loop portion 728 a, 728 b, 728 c all in series and coupledto tuning circuit 740, thereby to define a detection region 704approximating the volume defmed by base and walls 710–718 shown inphantom Container 700, 700′ including an antenna 720 comprises acontainer 700, 700′ having a base 710 and a wall 712–718 extending fromthe base 710 to define a volume 704. Loop antenna 720 has a portion 728disposed on the container base 710 and crossing over itself at leasttwice on the container base 710, and a wavy portion 722, 724, 726disposed on the container wall 712, 714, 716, 718 and defining at leasttwo waves 722, 724, 726 on the container wall 712, 714, 716, 718. Ameans 740 couples the loop antenna 720 to an external processor 750. Thecontainer wall 712, 714, 716, 718 defines one of a circular, oval,elliptical, rectangular and square shape. The coupling means 740 mayinclude at least one of a tuning circuit, a filter and a switch forselectively connecting said loop antenna to the external processor, asdescribed.

With regard to each of the antennas 530–554, 630–632, 720, of FIGS.11A–11B, 12A–12B, 13A–13C and 14, the arrangement of the matchingnetwork and/or tuning circuit 540, 640, 740, is as described above inrelation to FIG. 6, it being understood that the values of the variouscomponents thereof are selected for the particular antenna and itsfrequency of operation. Other tuning circuits and/or matching networksmay be utilized as is known to those of skill in the art.

It is noted that any one or more of the antenna arrangements 500, 600,700, may be employed with any MEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device orsimilar apparatus, and/or as any one or more of antenna arrangements 44,44′, 44″ described above. While various simultaneously operated and/ortemporally and/or spatially separated antenna array arrangements may beutilized with the present invention, other examples of suitable antennaarrays are described in detail in Applicant's co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/854,722 entitled “ANTENNA ARRAY FOR SMART RFIDTAGS” filed on May 14, 2001.

Antennas that generate electromagnetic fields in each of three mutuallyorthogonal directions are generally preferred because they tend to beable to read smart tags reliably irrespective of the orientation of thesmart tag within the detection region of the antenna arrangement. It isthought that the desirability of rapid 100% or near 100% reading ofsmart tags tends to be of more importance where many tags are to be readin a relatively shorter time period or where the smart tags are placedinto or moved through the detection region mechanically, e.g., on aconveyor, but may be of lesser importance where the reading of smarttags is by individual hand placement, e.g., as is the case for aMEDI-TRAKKER™ or MD-HELPER™ device intended for home or individual use.

It is noted that smart tags may be read and written numerous times andthe information therein may be updated and/or otherwise changed at anytime and as needed, thereby offering a particular advantage overbar-coded labels. While the arrangements described herein may beutilized with many sizes, varieties and types of wireless tags or smarttags or RFID tags and/or labels and/or cards, suitable wireless tags aredescribed and shown, for example, in Applicant's U.S. patentapplications Ser. No. 10/191,580 entitled “ELECTRONIC CIRCUITCONSTRUCTION, AS FOR A WIRELESS RF TAG” filed Jul. 9, 2002, Ser. No.09/412,058 entitled “ARTICLE HAVING AN EMBEDDED ELECTRONIC DEVICE, ANDMETHOD OF MAKING SAME” filed Oct. 4, 1999, Ser. No. 09/411,849 entitled“WIRELESS ARTICLE INCLUDING A PLURAL-TURN LOOP ANTENNA” filed Oct. 4,1999, and Ser. No. 09/671,923 entitled “TAMPER-RESISTANT WIRELESSARTICLE INCLUDING AN ANTENNA” filed Sep. 28, 2000.

While the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoingexample embodiments, variations within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention as defmed by the claims following will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. For example, many different combinations ofsmart tags, antenna, reader/writer units, communication devices andprocessors may be employed in making and using the system and inpracticing the method described herein. Antenna may be provided in anykind of area such as a pharmacy, a hospital, a nursing home, a carefacility, a rehabilitation center, a clinic, an office of a doctor,dentist or other health care provider, a home an office or otherworkplace, a school, a government facility, as well as other placeswhether or not described herein.

Apparatus providing visual and/or audible notice, alerts, warnings, etc.including those suitable for use by hearing or visually impairedpersons, may be provided in apparatus and used in the method hereinwhether for individual or home use or for use in a large or smallhospital, office, clinic or other professional facility.

Smart tags of various types may be utilized as convenient. For example,a smart tag may have a polyimide substrate with solid copper conductorsthereon and nickel-gold metal plated interconnection pads, with theelectronic chip connected to the interconnection pads with ahigh-temperature flexible conductive adhesive. Smart tags may bepackaged to prevent moisture, chemicals and solvents from reaching andattacking the operating elements of the smart tag.

A smart tag reader/writer, also referred to as a coder, readsinformation that is stored in a smart tag, e.g., in a memory thereof,and/or writes information to a smart tag for storing the same therein,e.g., to the memory thereof The reading and writing is sometimesreferred to generally as coding, hence a smart tag coder, and mayinclude decoding information that is stored in a smart tag, e.g., in amemory thereof, and/or encoding information into a smart tag for storingthe same therein, e.g., to the memory thereof.

In any of the examples described, one or more of the smart tags may becollected, erased and reused. Where a dispenser of medication, or of amedical implement or device is required to keep the originalprescription or order therefor, a copy of the prescription or orderincluding the original smart tag or a duplicate smart tag encoded tomatch the original smart tag may be provided. In another utilization,identification bracelets including smart tags are issued to mother andbaby in a hospital or birthing center at the time of birth. Each smarttag has related data stored therein for verifying, e.g., at feeding timeand/or release, that the mother's and baby's tags match, whereby themother has the baby born to her.

Optionally, the same information may be both transmitted to the smarttag and stored in its memory and stored in the memory of the trackingstation. Thus, both the smart tag and the tracking station have the sameinformation pertaining to that object and that station. Any otherdesired information may likewise be transmitted and stored in the smarttag. Where plural tags may be present in the smart tag detection regionof a station at the same time, conventional smart tag“collision-avoidance” or “anti-collision” techniques are employed.

It should be noted that the tracking stations may include any number andtypes of locations, as may be necessary, convenient or desirable in theprocessing, transport and use of any given object. The stations need notbe located in proximity to each other, but may be in separate buildingsor facilities, at different locations and even widely dispersedgeographically, and need not be under the ownership and/or control ofany one person or entity.

The smart tags may be adhesive tags that adhere to an object in a waythat renders them tamper resistant or may be included in an anti-theftdevice, such as the relatively large conventional reusable circularanti-theft devices available from Check-Point Systems of Thorofare, NewJersey, typically utilized in retail clothing stores. These conventionalanti-theft devices may be large so as to be obvious and not be removablewithout damaging the object unless removed using a special tool orrelease device generally not available to the public. Typically, a smarttag is configured to fit inside such conventional anti-theft device sothat the anti-theft-device and the smart tag cooperate to reduce theftand lost or misplaced objects, as would be important where expensivemedical devices, implements and medications are in view.

1. Apparatus for providing medical assistance relating to a medicalobject associated with a smart tag, the smart tag having stored thereina unique permanent identifier of the smart tag, information relating tothe medical object, and a relational check number representative of theunique permanent identifier of the smart tag and the informationrelating to the medical object, said apparatus comprising: a decoder forat least reading the information stored in the smart tag relating to theunique permanent identifier, the medical object and the relational checknumber a processor including a memory for storing the information readfrom the smart tag, wherein said processor processes the uniquepermanent identifier and the relational check number to verify theinformation read from the smart tag and processes the information readfrom the smart tag to generate information concerning the medicalobject; display means for providing a visual display responsive to theinformation generated by said processor; and sound reproducing means forproviding an audible sound responsive to the information generated bysaid processor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said decoderincludes a smart tag reader and an antenna.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said apparatus includes a source of time information, andwherein the information read from the smart tag includes frequency ofadministration information, wherein said processor processes the timeinformation and the frequency of administration information to generatea schedule of times at which the medical object is to be administeredand/or utilized.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said display meansdisplays and said sound reproducing means provide at least the name ofthe medical object and the time at which the medical object is to beadministered and/or utilized at or near the times at which the medicalobject is to be administered and/or utilized.
 5. The apparatus of claim1 wherein drug information is stored in the memory of said processor,wherein said processor further generates from the information read fromthe smart tag and the drug information further information concerningthe medical object which further information is displayed by saiddisplay means and provided by said sound reproducing means.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein the drug information includes one or moreof drug interaction information, allergy information, drug treatmentinformation, and patient information, and wherein the furtherinformation generated by said processor includes indication of one ormore of a drug interaction, an allergic reaction, and an inappropriateate drug administration.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saiddisplay means includes one or more of a liquid crystal display,illumination therefor, a light, an electro-luminescent light source, anda Braille device.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said soundreproducing means includes one or more of a loudspeaker, apiezo-electric element recorded speech, a speech synthesizer, a bell,and a buzzer.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the medical object isa medication, and wherein the information relating to the medical objectrepresents at least the name of the medication, the dosage of themedication and the frequency of administration of the medication, andoptionally includes information representing one or more of lotidentification, NDC number, expiration date, manufacturer, prescribingperson, dispenser, number of refills, condition treated, patient nameand identifying information.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising external communication means for providing informationresponsive to the information read from the smart tag to an externallocation.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said externalcommunication means includes a wireless transmitter and/or a wirelessreceiver and/or a telephone dialer and/or a telephone line.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising input means for enteringinformation into the memory of said processor.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12 wherein said input means includes one or more of a keyboard, abutton, a Braille keyboard and said decoder.
 14. Apparatus for providingmedical assistance relating to a medical object associated with a smarttag comprising: a decoder for at least reading information from thesmart tag associated with the medical object wherein the informationincludes a unique permanent identifier of the smart tag, informationrelating to the medical object, and a relational check numberrepresentative of the unique permanent identifier of the smart tag andthe information relating to the medical object; a processor including amemory for storing the information read from the smart tag, wherein saidprocessor processes the unique permanent identifier and the relationalcheck number to verify the information read from the smart tag andprocesses the information read from the smart tag to provide patientinformation concerning the medical object; a user interface includingdisplay means for providing a visual display responsive to the patientinformation provided by said processor, and/or sound reproducing meansfor providing an audible sound responsive to the patient informationprovided by said processor.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein saiddecoder includes a smart tag reader and an antenna.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein said processor includes a source of time information,and wherein the patient information includes a schedule of the times atwhich the object is to be administered.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14wherein said processor includes a source of time information, andwherein the information read from the smart tag includes frequency ofadministration information, wherein said processor processes the timeinformation and the frequency of administration information to generatea schedule of times at which the medical object is to be administeredand/or utilized.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the display meansand/or the sound reproducing means of said user interface display and/orprovide at least the name of the medical object and the time at whichthe medical object is to be administered and/or utilized at or near thetimes at which the medical object is to be administered and/or utilized.19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein drug information is stored in thememory of said processor, wherein said processor further generates fromthe information read from the smart tag and the drug information furtherpatient information concerning the medical object, which further patientinformation is displayed by the display means of said user interfaceand/or is provided by the sound reproducing means of said userinterface.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the drag informationincludes one or more of drug interaction information, allergyinformation, drug treatment information, and patient information, andwherein the further patient information generated by said processorincludes indication of one or more of a drug interaction, an allergicreaction, and an inappropriate drug administration.
 21. The apparatus ofclaim 14 wherein said user interface includes one or more of a liquidcrystal display, illumination therefor, a light, an electro-luminescentlight source, a Braille device, a loudspeaker, a piezo-electric element,recorded speech, a speech synthesizer, a bell, and a buzzer.
 22. Theapparatus of claim 14 wherein the medical object is a medication, andwherein the information relating to the medical object represents atleast the name of the medication, the dosage of the medication and thefrequency of administration of the medication, and optionally includesinformation representing one or more of lot identification, NDC number,expiration date, manufacturer, prescribing person, dispenser, number ofrefills, condition treated, patient name and identifying information.23. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising external communicationmeans for providing information responsive to the information read fromthe smart tag to an external location.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23wherein said external communication means includes a wirelesstransmitter and/or a wireless receiver and/or a telephone dialer and/ora telephone line.
 25. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising inputmeans for entering information into the memory of said processor. 26.The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said input means includes one or moreof a keyboard, a button, a Braille keyboard and said decoder.
 27. Amethod for providing medical assistance relating to a medical objectassociated with a smart tag, the smart tag having stored therein aunique permanent identifier of the smart tat information relating to themedical object, and a relational check number representative of theunique permanent identifier of the smart tag and the informationrelating to the medical object, said method comprising: decoding atleast the information stored in the smart tag relating to the medicalobject, the unique permanent identifier and the relational check number;storing the information decoded from the smart tag; processing therelational check number to verify the information decoded from the smarttag; generating from the stored information decoded from the smart taginformation concerning the medical object; said method furthercomprising one or more of: displaying a visual representation responsiveto the information concerning the medical object; and/or reproducing anaudible representation responsive to the information concerning themedical object.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein said decodingincludes reading the information stored in the smart tag via an antenna.29. The method of claim 27 further comprising providing timeinformation, wherein said generating includes generating a schedule oftimes at which the medical object is to be administered and/or utilizedresponsive to the time information and to frequency of administrationinformation decoded from the smart tag.
 30. The method of claim 29wherein said displaying a visual representation and/or said reproducingan audible representation include at least the name of the medicalobject and the time at which the medical object is to be administeredand/or utilized at or near the times at which the medical object is tobe administered and/or utilized.
 31. The method of claim 27 furthercomprising: generating from the information decoded from the smart tagand from drug information further information concerning the medicalobject, and displaying a visual representation responsive to the furtherinformation and/or reproducing an audible representation responsive tothe further information.
 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the druginformation includes one or more of drug interaction information,allergy information, drug treatment information, and patientinformation, and wherein the further information includes an indicationof one or more of a drug interaction, an allergic reaction, and aninappropriate drug administration.
 33. The method of claim 27 whereinthe medical object is a medication, and wherein the information relatingto the medical object represents at least the name of the medication,the dosage of the medication and the frequency of administration of themedication, and optionally includes information representing one or moreof lot identification, NDC number, expiration date, manufacturer,prescribing person, dispenser, number of refills, condition treated,patient name and identifying information.
 34. The method of claim 27further comprising communicating information responsive to theinformation decoded from the smart tag and/or to the informationgenerated to an external location.
 35. The method of claim 34 whereinsaid communicating includes communicating via a wireless transmitterand/or a wireless receiver and/or a telephone dialer and/or a telephoneline.
 36. The method of claim 27 further comprising entering informationfor altering the information generated from the information decoded fromthe smart tag.
 37. A method for assisting the administration ofmedication comprising: encoding an RFID tag with medication informationand patient information, and with a relational check numberrepresentative of a unique permanent identifier of the RFID tag and themedication information and patient information, wherein the RFID tagincludes a memory and an antenna; utilizing the encoded RFID tag indispensing the medication and/or in verifying the proper medication isdispensed and/or administered; reading encoded information from the RFIDtag; processing the unique permanent identifier and the relational checknumber to verify the information read from the smart tag; generatingfrom the read medication information a schedule of times foradministering the medication; and providing at the schedule times areminder to administer the medication, wherein the reminder is providedresponsive to the read medication information and the generatedschedule.
 38. The method of claim 37 further comprising comparingmedication and/or patient information read from the RFID tag with druginteraction information, patient allergic condition information,medication-to-disease relevancy information and/or dosageappropriateness information; and providing responsive to said comparinga visual and/or audible indication of a drug interaction, a patientallergic condition, medication-to-disease non-relevancy and/or dosageinappropriateness.
 39. The method of claim 37 wherein said providing atthe schedule times a reminder to administer the medication includesproviding a visual and/or audible representation of the medication. 40.The method of claim 37 wherein said providing at the schedule times areminder to administer the medication includes providing a visual and/oraudible representation of the medication and of the schedule time.
 41. Amedication tracking device comprising: an RFID tag coder for readinginformation from an RFID tag and/or for writing information to an RFIDtag, wherein an RFID tag includes a memory having information includinga relational check number representative of a unique permanentidentifier of the RFID tag and medication information stored therein andan antenna; a processor and a memory for storing and processinginformation read from an RFID tag to provide a reminder message basedupon the processed information read from the RFID tag includingprocessing the unique permanent identifier and the relational checknumber to verify the information read from the RFID tag; means forproviding a visual and/or audible reminder message responsive to thereminder message provided by said processor.
 42. The medication tackingdevice of claim 41 wherein the reminder message includes a reminder ofthe times at which the medication is to be administered, wherein saidmeans for providing provides the reminder message at or near to thetimes at which the medication is to be administered.
 43. The medicationtacking device of claim 41 wherein the information stored in the RFIDtag includes the prescription for the medication, the frequency anddosage to be administered, the number of refills permitted, and thedisease to be treated.
 44. The medication tracking device of claim 41wherein said processor includes medical treatment information stored inthe memory thereof; and wherein the reminder message includes a druginteraction message, an allergic condition message, an irrelevantmedication message and/or an inappropriate medication message, whichmessages are provided by said processor responsive to the medicaltreatment information.